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The influence of antenatal relaxation classes on perinatal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences: a qualitative study.

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Title: The influence of antenatal relaxation classes on perinatal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences: a qualitative study.
Authors: Tabib, Mo (AUTHOR), Humphrey, Tracy (AUTHOR), Forbes-McKay, Katrina (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology. Jan2026, Vol. 44 Issue 1, p27-45. 19p.
Subjects: Childbirth & psychology, Qualitative research, Spouses, Interviewing, Psychological well-being, Labor (Obstetrics), Pregnant women, Childbirth education, Judgment sampling, Prenatal care, Thematic analysis, Research methodology, Relaxation techniques
Geographic Terms: Scotland
Abstract: Background: There is growing evidence that antenatal education incorporating relaxation practices can positively influence perinatal psychological wellbeing. However, a paucity of qualitative research is evident. Gaining insight into how and why such education may influence childbearing women, can inform the design of effective educational interventions. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of women and their partners on how and why a single Antenatal Relaxation Class (ARC) might influence perinatal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences. Method: In this descriptive qualitative study, 17 women and 9 partners participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study was carried out in a Scottish NHS Health Board where ARC was provided to expectant parents. Findings: Two themes were generated, namely: 'the turning point', and 'recognition of an inner resource'. Participants perceived ARC as 'the turning point' when they became more confident, equipped, and less fearful and anxious towards childbirth. 'Understanding of the psychophysiological processes of childbirth', 'positive stories', and 'practice of relaxation techniques' were reported as the main reasons for these positive changes. Participants explained ARC had enabled them to access a deep sense of calmness as 'an inner resource' and motivated the use of relaxation techniques as a self-care behaviour throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Conclusion: A single antenatal relaxation class has the potential to enhance perinatal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences. This study provides valuable insights for maternity services seeking to develop effective health-promoting antenatal education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: The influence of antenatal relaxation classes on perinatal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences: a qualitative study.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tabib%2C+Mo%22">Tabib, Mo</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Humphrey%2C+Tracy%22">Humphrey, Tracy</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Forbes-McKay%2C+Katrina%22">Forbes-McKay, Katrina</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Reproductive+%26+Infant+Psychology%22">Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology</searchLink>. Jan2026, Vol. 44 Issue 1, p27-45. 19p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Childbirth+%26+psychology%22">Childbirth & psychology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Qualitative+research%22">Qualitative research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Spouses%22">Spouses</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interviewing%22">Interviewing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+well-being%22">Psychological well-being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Labor+%28Obstetrics%29%22">Labor (Obstetrics)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pregnant+women%22">Pregnant women</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Childbirth+education%22">Childbirth education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Judgment+sampling%22">Judgment sampling</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Prenatal+care%22">Prenatal care</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thematic+analysis%22">Thematic analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+methodology%22">Research methodology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Relaxation+techniques%22">Relaxation techniques</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scotland%22">Scotland</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: There is growing evidence that antenatal education incorporating relaxation practices can positively influence perinatal psychological wellbeing. However, a paucity of qualitative research is evident. Gaining insight into how and why such education may influence childbearing women, can inform the design of effective educational interventions. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of women and their partners on how and why a single Antenatal Relaxation Class (ARC) might influence perinatal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences. Method: In this descriptive qualitative study, 17 women and 9 partners participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study was carried out in a Scottish NHS Health Board where ARC was provided to expectant parents. Findings: Two themes were generated, namely: 'the turning point', and 'recognition of an inner resource'. Participants perceived ARC as 'the turning point' when they became more confident, equipped, and less fearful and anxious towards childbirth. 'Understanding of the psychophysiological processes of childbirth', 'positive stories', and 'practice of relaxation techniques' were reported as the main reasons for these positive changes. Participants explained ARC had enabled them to access a deep sense of calmness as 'an inner resource' and motivated the use of relaxation techniques as a self-care behaviour throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Conclusion: A single antenatal relaxation class has the potential to enhance perinatal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences. This study provides valuable insights for maternity services seeking to develop effective health-promoting antenatal education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=190508581
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/02646838.2024.2369937
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 27
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Childbirth & psychology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Spouses
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interviewing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological well-being
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Labor (Obstetrics)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pregnant women
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Childbirth education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Judgment sampling
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Prenatal care
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research methodology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Relaxation techniques
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Scotland
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: The influence of antenatal relaxation classes on perinatal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences: a qualitative study.
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            NameFull: Tabib, Mo
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            NameFull: Humphrey, Tracy
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            NameFull: Forbes-McKay, Katrina
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            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Text: Jan2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 02646838
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              Value: 44
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            – TitleFull: Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology
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