Independent qualitative evaluative study of Calmbirth® antenatal classes

Background: /problem High childbirth intervention rates impose unnecessary risk to women and infants. It is imperative that ways to mitigate this are found. Antenatal classes show promise yet the variability in their structure, content, acceptability, and impact require further examination. Aim: To explore the acceptability and experiences of attending Calmbirth® antenatal classes. Methods: A qualitative evaluation was completed on data gathered from Calmbirth® participants. Eighteen individual and/or couple postnatal interviews were conducted. Template analysis was used, with a psycho-emotional conceptual framework applied to analyse interview data. Results: : The main finding of the evaluation was that the Calmbirth® courses empowered the participants, increased their health literacy, and provided them with more personal psychosocial coping strategies. Whilst some participants found the classes were not helpful for the majority their attendance proved to be a positive reframing of childbirth transforming their experience. In addition, learnt tools and strategies may have modified interventions although this remains to be proven. Discussion: Calmbirth® is acceptable and experienced positively by most women and partners who attended courses. Although the Calmbirth® programme is a possible strategy that may modify childbirth interventions and outcomes leading to a change in birthing culture, this requires further examination to make any causative claims. Moreover, for Calmbirth® to really make a difference there needs to be re-examination of the broader socio-cultural influences in places of birth with a focus on development of culturally aligned, user friendly, accessible classes that are funded for equity. Conclusion: Calmbirth® courses are acceptable and are a strategy that can empower and impact positively on childbirth experience.