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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Tamar Chikvaidze, MD, JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc., Healthy Women in Georgia (HWG) program, Parental Education Campaign - Parents' School (PS), 25 Gogebashvili street, Kutaisi, 4600, Georgia, (995 93) 32 34 02, tamar@jsi.ge

Background: To respond to high maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates in Georgia, USAID-funded HWG program initiated parenthood educational campaign focusing on men's involvement in pregnancy and childbirth.

Worldwide experiences confirm that partner's presence in the delivery room is very positive, resulting in less medication, fewer caesarian sections, shortened labor, stronger father-infant and couple bonding. Traditionally, the pregnancy and delivery process is considered the women domain in Georgia. Specific challenges related to male's participation in pregnancy and delivery include negative attitude of health providers towards men's involvement and strong culturally defined gender roles for Georgian men.

Methods: HWG introduced evidence-based prenatal care principles emphasizing humanization of birth in maternity hospitals of Georgia. Since February 2005 innovative PS were established in four Georgian maternity hospitals. Educational classes prepare prospective parents for childbirth, while normalizing the males' involvement and providing physiological support.

Results: The first group of PS fathers attended their infants' births. Fathers expressed that “it was the most touching moment in their lives.” Their wives felt that “spouses provided invaluable support”. Providers underlined positive influence of antenatal education and partner support on delivery outcomes. The second group is moved by the successful experience and is willing to attend childbirth process.

Conclusions: HWG is planning introducing of antenatal education program and family-centered maternity care at the national level to have a greater impact on Georgian women and children health.

Georgia could serve as a good example for other countries were male participation in pregnancy and delivery still remains very limited.

Learning Objectives:

• Barriers to men's participation in pregnancy and childbirth
• The crucial role of parental education on fathers’ involvement in pregnancy and delivery
• The positive impact of fathers’ support on birth outcomes

Keywords: Partner Involvement, Birth Outcomes

Related Web page: www.jsi.ge

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation