Antenatal education and maternity care in NZ

May 1 2009
Embargoed until 10:00am - May 1 2009

Childbirth Education - Research Release

Childbirth Education; antenatal education and transitions of maternity care in New Zealand

Important research released today by Parents Centres NZ Inc and the Families Commission says many new mothers are falling between the gaps as a result of poor information and access to services provided around the time of childbirth.

‘Antenatal Education is an important component of maternity services and primary health care. It provides a unique opportunity to promote healthy behaviours, increase social support and prepares women and their partners for childbirth and parenting. It can also detect vulnerable women and their whanau’ says Viv Gurrey, Chief Executive Officer of Parents Centres NZ Inc and a member of the Parenting Council Board

There have only been two pieces of in depth research conducted in NZ around this topic – one in the early 70’s by Parents Centres NZ Inc and now this informative and insightful document commissioned by the Parenting Council, delivered by Parents Centres NZ Inc and funded by the Families Commission.

The study describes women’s access to and experience of childbirth education offered across 21 District Health Boards and how mothers are referred from Lead Maternity Carers to Childbirth Education and Well Child Services. It provides a snapshot of antenatal education and transitions of maternity care in New Zealand.

Gurrey says ‘The physical skills, emotional well being and confidence that are enhanced through education in childbirth can help ensure that the new life phase begins as a positive and healthy experience, with strong energies for the child and their family’s future’
‘We have a rare opportunity at this time for knowledge to act as a catalyst for change and what is more, one that has the potential to impact on society as a whole. This is at both a physiological level and emotional and has wide ranging implications for the lifetime of the child and whanau’

The report: Childbirth Education; antenatal education and transitions of maternity care in New Zealand was researched by Dr Sarah Dwyer on behalf of Parents Centres NZ, commissioned by the Parenting Council and funded by the Families Commission. The aim of the report is to improve the quality of childbirth education in New Zealand.

Ms Gurrey says ‘The research clearly shows that there are gaps in the quality and accessibility of antenatal education and support being received by women and there are significant differences in the availability and delivery of childbirth education across DHBs and NZ as a whole.’ She goes on to say ‘It is important to note that all suggestions for improvement should be seen within the context of the international acknowledgement of New Zealand as a leader in the field of maternity services’

As the Ministry of Health moves to review the consultation on the Maternity Action Plan, we would encourage further thinking around the provision of childbirth education and the opportunities this offers to significantly influence and act as a catalyst for support where that support has been demonstrated to deliver effective outcomes for families.

Where the focus on maternity care starts early through antenatal education, research shows real benefits. Parents Centres and the Parenting Council therefore would like to see three specific outcomes:

• A comprehensive referral process from Lead Maternity Care to Childbirth Education Provider
• Universal access to and availability of childbirth education for all pregnant women and their whanau with barriers to access removed
• Delivery by suitably qualified educators
Only 41 % of pregnant women attend childbirth education in New Zealand. Most are first time mothers, tertiary educated, Pakeha and higher income earners. Less likely to attend were younger, less educated, lower socioeconomic status and single. Maori and Pacific Island women were significantly under represented and the barriers to their participation need to be removed.

There are significant differences in the availability and delivery of Childbirth Education across the DHB regions and many do not meet the Ministry of Health expectation that Childbirth Education will be available at no cost to 30% of all pregnant women each year.

‘The research informs us there are clinical and performance gaps and some consumers’ needs are not being met. The quality of services in some areas is questionable. A required qualification in Childbirth Education, the use of effective auditing services, measuring and monitoring outcomes, the collecting of regular consumer feedback, further workforce development and a critical re-examination of the programme content are all essential if we are to deliver effective outcomes. The research shows that the best outcomes occur when a consistent and suitably accredited standard of delivery is used.
Parents Centres and Aoraki Polytechnic offer the only Diploma in Childbirth Education. Parents Centres employs only qualified childbirth educators and also applies stringent evaluation, auditing, monitoring and collection of consumer feedback. There was a tangible difference in outcomes defined by the women surveyed attending Parents Centres classes.
Parents Centres NZ Inc is the primary provider of childbirth education in New Zealand employing over 100 childbirth educators and has the largest parenting based support network and infrastructure available to all parents in the community across 52 Centres nationwide.

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