Reducing Early Elective Deliveries: A Training Program for Childbirth Educators

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that early elective delivery without medical indication is linked to neonatal morbidities with no benefit to the mother or infant. Research also shows that childbirth education, especially when it addresses the risks, benefits, and evidence-based indications for inductions, will decrease the number of women who will choose elective inductions. This study is an investigation intended to gauge the effectiveness of a pilot training module in affecting knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy of childbirth educators regarding talking to pregnant women about waiting until at least 39 weeks to have their babies. METHODS: A pilot training module was created with the intention to proliferate research and recommendations on the importance of waiting 39 weeks to a cohort of childbirth educators. Participants received baseline and post-module questionnaires on the day of the training. Participants also received a follow-up survey 3 months post-module. RESULTS: Seventy individuals attended the training event. Data on changes in attitude, knowledge, and self-efficacy were collected on the day of the pilot training event. Data on these topics in addition to reported actions were collected 3 months post-module. Results of the analysis will be presented. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot training module will create more capable and active advocates of the importance of waiting 39 weeks to deliver a baby. Indications for use of this model to train childbirth educators in reducing early elective deliveries will be presented.