title: Effect of attending childbirth education classes on psychological distress in pregnant women measured by means of the General Health Questionnaire.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnancy brings about many changes in a woman's life in somatic, psychological and social spheres. Therefore, many women decide to participate in childbirth education classes. The aim of study was to determine the differences in emotional distress between women who participated in childbirth education classes and these who did not.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy first-time mothers after labor were examined. Based on a survey carried out, the women were divided into two equal groups. Group I consisted of women who had participated in childbirth education classes and Group II of women who had not. The data was gathered by means of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) adapted to Polish conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences either in age or in BMI rates among the examined women. The level of education and knowledge about labor was significantly higher among the participants of childbirth classes. The results of the GHQ-12 revealed that women from Group I had a better mental status than women from Group II. Significant differences were observed in terms of sleep deprivation, overcoming difficulties and in the ability to enjoy daily activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participation in childbirth classes has a significant influence on psychological well-being in pregnant women as measured by the GHQ-12.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jakubiec
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jagielska
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Mikołaj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karmowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kubicka
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karmowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Sobiech
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D008603:Mental Health; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D011044:Poland; D011247:Pregnancy; D064186:Prenatal Education; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires