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Source: ONE News -
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The quality and accessibility of childbirth education and support varies significantly around the country, and many mothers are falling through the gaps, Parents Centres NZ Inc says.
A new report, Childbirth Education, Antenatal Education and Transitions of Maternity Care in New Zealand, found many women were unaware of, or not using, services available to them.
Fewer than half of all pregnant women had attended a childbirth education course.
Antenatal education was important for promoting healthy behaviour, increasing social support and preparing families for childbirth and parenting, Parents Centres chief executive Viv Gurrey said.
Parents Centres is the country's primary childbirth education provider, with 52 centres around the country and more than 100 educators.
Gurrey says the report, funded by the Families Commission, Parents Centres and Parents Council, showed there were gaps in education and support available to mothers, varying across district health boards.
The quality of services in some areas was "questionable", she says.
The report found most women were only vaguely aware of their entitlements, including how long they could stay in hospital after the birth, how many home visits they could have from their lead maternity carer, or about free care for urgent pregnancy problems.
Half of the district health boards were failing to meet a target of providing free childbirth education services to up to three out of 10 pregnant women, and Maori and Pacific mothers in particular were missing out on childbirth education.
The lack of education and access to services had the potential to be devastating, the Families Commission says.
Chief commissioner Jan Pryor says the report raised critical issues about women's access to childbirth education, information, and the transition from maternity care to parental support.
