Learning antenatal does not help pregnant women

The birth preparation courses such as breathing techniques, relaxation and massage do not help women when they are "really" sleeping. The number of caesarean births or the use of forceps for babies does not decrease, a study has just revealed.

This finding will be sad news for thousands of women, who are eager to attend antenatal classes to increase their chances of having a normal birth, through yoga-like breathing and self-hypnosis, while their loved ones Learn how to massage pregnant women.

Professor Philip Steer, Editor-in-Chief BJOG - International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Swedish publication published by the study - said: "The findings from this study go against what many experts do. expectations".

"The study found that maternal outcomes are influenced by previous personality and psychological orientations, not by meager training sessions during pregnancy".

The study, conducted by the Karolinska Institute from 2006 to May 2007, had more than 1,000 couples giving birth for the first time.

Participants were randomly assigned to two pre-school classes. The 'natural' group focuses on teaching breathing, relaxation and psychological simulation techniques. The control group was provided with information about childbirth and parenthood.

The team predicts that pregnant women in the 'natural' group will need fewer caesarean sections, as well as less pain relief or supportive devices such as forcep to pull them out.

But in fact: the rate of using pain relief is 52% in both groups. The number of women having a caesarean section is 20% in the 'natural' group, and 21.5% in the control group.

Even in the "natural" group, the rate of using support equipment is 14%, compared to only 12% in the other group.

Thus, there is no difference in the data between the two groups during childbirth, even in raising children for the next 3 months.