Addressing infant mortality by comparing hospital based and non-hospital based childbirth education classes

Issues: Infant mortality is a main concern in the United States as well as worldwide. In addressing infant mortality an important factor to be considered is the importance of childbirth education classes for expecting parents. While the child birthing experience may seem fearful to some, birthing education classes help to improve the labor and birthing outcomes.

Description: This research project aims to analyze the differences in birth outcomes between mothers who received hospital based childbirth education classes, non-hospital based education classes, and no childbirth education classes. Variables such as use of medication, time of gestation, and birth weight were each analyzed for comparison.

Lessons Learned: While all types of childbirth education classes have similar themes there are differences among these classes and the support that they provide to expecting parents. Classes in a hospital setting tend to include a basic overview of labor and birth and teach specific hospital practices to the expecting parents. Classes that are taught outside of the hospital include information about coping skills, physiology of labor, emotional aspects, and childbirth options. Even though hospital based and non-hospital based child birthing classes each have specific benefits, there are difference that exist within these classes. These differences have an impact on the labor and birthing process.

Recommendations: Current research needs to focus on understanding the differences in birth outcomes between mothers who received hospital based child birth education and those that received non-hospital based childbirth education classes. This research can be used to further address infant mortality.