title: Preparing expectant couples for new-parent experiences: a comparison of two models of antenatal education.
abstract: This paper describes a pilot antenatal education program intended to better prepare couples for the early weeks of lifestyle changes and parenting. Eight weeks after birth, data were collected by questionnaire from 19 couples who participated in a pilot program and from 14 couples who were enrolled in a routine hospital program. Women in the pilot program were significantly more satisfied with their experience of parenthood. Facilitated gender-specific discussion groups formed a key strategy in the pilot program.
authors.affiliation: V irginia S chmied is an associate professor in the Centre for Family Health and Midwifery at the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia. She is also a parenting educator at St. George Hospital, Kogarah, in Sydney.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schmied
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Myors
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wills
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cooke