Polish Journal of Public Health

Review Article, Pol J Public Health 2016;126(4): 192-196

Justyna Krysa, Grażyna J. Iwanowicz-Palus, Agnieszka M. Bień, 
Ewa Rzońca, Marta Zarajczyk

Department of the Basics of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Poland

10.1515/pjph-2016-0040

Abstract

Prenatal education in the form of antenatal classes, referred to as School of Birth in Poland, aims at preparing both pregnant women and their partners for parenthood, on theoretical and practical basis. This is achieved by providing women with information on safe pregnancy, labor and puerperium, developing healthy behaviors and preparing parents to look after the newborn/infant. The course program covers all psychophysical issues related to pregnancy, labor, puerperium and early stages of the child’s life. The objective is to strengthen the health of mothers and children, alleviate pregnancy-related anxiety and fear, decrease the number of premature births and reduce the perinatal mortality rate. However, the scope of potential advantages of Schools of Birth depends not only on individual traits of the participants, but also on the engagement of professionals who teach the courses and the type of the school.

Keywords

antenatal classes, prenatal education, parenthood.