The role of childbirth educators in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Hyun Kyoung Kim
Abstract
Childbirth education helps to deliver information regarding health care to pregnant women and their families during the antenatal and postnatal periods. Culturally, Korea has a unique type of childbirth education, termed taegyo, which helps in maternal health care and stimulates the cognitive development of the fetus in the womb In modern society, this tradition continues to be taught in prenatal classes for pregnant women and their families, mainly at hospitals and public health care centers. Prenatal classes play a role in encouraging maternal physical, psychological, and social health through self-care during pregnancy. These classes deliver information on a wide-ranging and deep understanding of the birth process and readiness for the maternal role, and they play a valuable role as a mode for evidence-based nursing care to be shared with pregnant women. In addition to learning about diet, nutrition, vaccination, exercise, rest, activity, the birth process, pain control during labor, breastfeeding, and practical approaches to daily activities, pregnant women gain emotional benefits through communication between educators and pregnant women. Childbirth education enhances parental attachment, motherhood, confidence, and childbearing efficacy, and it relieves psychological distress and the postpartum blues