Antenatal Education and the Transition to Parenthood

Abstract

The Court report suggested that our chief concern during the transition to parenthood should be to improve an individual’s ability to cope with life. Subsequent research studies have indicated that in coping with birth and the transition to parenthood it is not so much what you know that is important but how the experience is managed (Clulow et al., 1982; Draper et al., 1981). A supportive network of friends, family and professionals which will provide continuity of care and advice from early pregnancy to the early months of parenthood may well be of more value in coping with a major life-change than a series of informative classes.