Evidence Tools
MCH Best. NPM 2: Low-Risk Cesarean Delivery

Strategy. Childbirth Education Classes

Approach. Support the delivery of a community-based childbirth education class series.

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Overview. Attending prenatal education classes has been associated with higher rates of vaginal deliveries among women in more than one study sample group.¹

Evidence. Emerging. Interventions implemented at the patient level appear to be effective in decreasing the percentage of cesarean deliveries among low-risk first-time mothers. This strategy has been tested more than once and results trend positive overall. Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library. (Read more about understanding evidence ratings).

Target Audience. Patient/Consumer.

Outcome. Percent of women who participated in a community-based childbirth education class and deliveried vaginally. For detailed outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy, click on the peer-reviewed evidence link above and read the "Intervention Results" for each study.

Examples from the Field. Currently, there are no ESMs that directly match this strategy. However, you can find all ESMS addressing NPM 2 through the MCH Library.

Role of Title V. Title V agencies can support organizations that offer offer community-based childbirth education classes:

• Provide training directly or through local health departments/partner groups.
• Assist in connecting women and families to education classes (direct outreach, connecting providers to class information).
• Develop an expectant mother information packet to go out to all expectant mothers that includes class information and other resources.
• Provide expertise, materials, or evaluation services for education classes.

For additional suggestions on how to develop programs to support this strategy, see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies

Sample ESMs. Using the approach “Support pregnant women'sparticipation in community-based childbirth education classes,” here are sample ESMs you can use as a model for your own measures using the Results-Based Accountability framework:

Examples from the Field:

• WV is implementing training for maternity care providers on the Lamaze International Evidence-Based Labor Support workshop series.
• KY provides outreach (data reports, presentations, TA) to professionals and the public.
• NY conducts the Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait® Consumer Education Initiative to educate women about the importance of the last weeks of gestation.

Learn More. Read how to create stronger ESMs and how to measure ESM impact more meaningfully through Results-Based Accountability.

Reference:

¹ American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Safe Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery. Obstetrics & Gynecology. Obstetric Care Consensus. March 2014.