ABSTRACT Background and Aims Childbirth preparation classes aim to equip expectant parents with knowledge and skills for a smoother labor process. This study evaluated their effects on labor pain, duration, and neonatal outcomes. Methods This retrospective cohort study involved 240 primiparous women, with 120 attending at least four classes and 120 not participating. The classes comprised eight sessions conducted by certified midwives at Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital in Iran (2018–2019). Data were collected through questionnaires, clinical observations, and medical examinations. Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results The intervention group reported significantly lower pain intensity during the late first stage of labor (mean ± SD: 8.21 ± 2.36 vs. 8.69 ± 1.75; p < 0.001) and the second stage (7.69 ± 3.08 vs. 8.37 ± 2.36; p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the durations of the first (219.09 ± 131.46 vs. 235.03 ± 138.73 min; p = 0.36), second (37.00 ± 26.10 vs. 42.77 ± 31.82 min; p = 0.12), or third stages (6.58 ± 4.49 vs. 7.07 ± 4.54 min; p = 0.40). Neonatal outcomes showed no significant differences. Women in the control group had nearly Seven times higher odds of experiencing pain scores above 5 during late first‐stage labor. Conclusions Childbirth preparation classes effectively reduce labor pain but do not significantly impact labor duration or neonatal health. Given the importance of promoting natural delivery, expanding such educational programs is recommended to enhance maternal adaptation and overall labor experience.
Koochaksaraei et al. (2026) studied this question.