Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting

It’s intuitive that preparation for anything is generally beneficial, and this is certainly true for parenting. Since all parents are learning on the job, multiple opportunities and stages arise to help parents prepare for smooth transitions into or through new or emerging situations.

As presented here, integrated prenatal care provided significant benefits for highly stressed mothers in particular. Childbirth education was shown to promote partner involvement, and high quality partner support is shown to be beneficial for mother and infant well-being. Parenting education demonstrated a wide benefit no matter which of the available formats was provided. Parents experiencing behavioral challenges with their children received a greater benefit from in-person classes over more passive learning experiences.

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A mixed methods approach to understanding the relationship between attachment and child outcomes: The connection of related findings, theory and cultural implications as explored through the perspectives and practices of attachment parents.

Wedmore, H. V. (2013). A mixed methods approach to understanding the relationship between attachment and child outcomes: The connection of related findings, theory and cultural implications as explored through the perspectives and practices of attachment parents.

In Chapter 2 of this paper, a quantitative analysis investigated the association between positive couple interaction and child outcomes (externalizing behavior and social competence) as mediated through positive parenting and a secure parent-child attachment. In Chapter 3, a qualitative approach was used to explore the perspectives and parenting behaviors of mothers who identify as attachment parents Additionally, the implications of attachment theory, evolutionary theory, and the societal context in which parenting practices are embedded are explored. A connection between the quantitative and qualitative findings of this study is drawn in Chapter 4 via the discussion section. In addition, consistencies and inconsistencies were explored between the results of both studies as well as between previous research findings and pre-established theory.

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Does Antenatal Education Affect Labour and Birth? A Structured Review of the Literature

Ferguson, S., Davis, D., & Browne, J. (2012). Does antenatal education affect labour and birth? A structured review of the literature, Women and Birth, 26(1), e5–e8

Childbirth classes encouraged partner involvement, less anxiety, and less false labor but led to more labor interventions such as induction and epidural use.

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Effective Intervention Programming: Improving Maternal Adjustment Through Parent Education

Farris, J. R., Bert, S. S. C., Nicholson, J. S., Glass, K., & Borkowski, J. G. (2012). Effective Intervention Programming: Improving Maternal Adjustment Through Parent Education. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 40(3), 1-13

Parent education delivered through in-person and web-based classes was helpful for mothers of toddlers, whether or not they reported behavior problems.

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Effects of Group Prenatal Care on Psychosocial Risk in Pregnancy: Results from a Randomised Controlled Trial

Ickovics, J. R., Reed, E., Magriples, U., Westdahl, C., Rising, S. S., & Kershaw, T. S. (2011). Effects of group prenatal care on psychosocial risk in pregnancy: Results from a randomised controlled trial. Psychology and Health, 26(2), 235-250.

Group prenatal care was helpful in increasing self-esteem while decreasing social conflict and depression among at-risk women.

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Mothers Affiliated with a Positive Parenting Program Report Rearing their Children Differently

Smith, M.M., Holden, G.W. Mothers Affiliated with a Positive Parenting Program Report Rearing their Children Differently. J Child Fam Stud 29, 955–963 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01653-9

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Mothers' and fathers' parenting challenges, strategies, and resources in toddlerhood

Read more about Mothers' and fathers' parenting challenges, strategies, and resources in toddlerhood

Perceived Partner Support in Pregnancy Predicts Lower Maternal and Infant Distress

Stapleton, L. R. T., Schetter, C. D., Westling, E., Rini, C., Glynn, L. M., Hobel, C. J., & Sandman, C. A. (2012). Perceived partner support in pregnancy predicts lower maternal and infant distress. Journal of Family Psychology, 26(3), 453-463.

Women who received more support from their partners during pregnancy experienced less distress postpartum and reported that their infants were happier, too.

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Preparation for Parenthood: A Concept Analysis

Read more about Preparation for Parenthood: A Concept Analysis

The effect of exercise and childbirth classes on fear of childbirth and locus of labor pain control

Read more about The effect of exercise and childbirth classes on fear of childbirth and locus of labor pain control

Understanding and Meeting the Needs of Women in the Postpartum Period: The Perinatal Maternal Health Promotion Model

Read more about Understanding and Meeting the Needs of Women in the Postpartum Period: The Perinatal Maternal Health Promotion Model

[PDF] Fathers' engagement in pregnancy and childbirth: evidence from a national survey

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It’s intuitive that preparation for anything is generally beneficial, and this is certainly true for parenting. Since all parents are learning on the job, multiple opportunities and stages arise to help parents prepare for smooth transitions into or through new or emerging situations.

Childbirth classes encouraged partner involvement, less anxiety, and less false labor but led to more labor interventions such as induction and epidural use.

Parent education delivered through in-person and web-based classes was helpful for mothers of toddlers, whether or not they reported behavior problems.

Group prenatal care was helpful in increasing self-esteem while decreasing social conflict and depression among at-risk women.

Women who received more support from their partners during pregnancy experienced less distress postpartum and reported that their infants were happier, too.

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