The prepared childbirth group as community‐based primary prevention

This paper addresses the role prepared childbirth groups could play to facilitate psychological transition to parenthood. Pregnancy is described as a period of social transition and psychological developmental crisis. Social‐psychological needs of pregnant couples for social support, psychological growth, and anxiety reduction may be equally important to cognitive needs in preparing for labor, delivery, and parenting. One prepared childbirth group that focuses on these needs is described. Group dynamics, processes, content, membership composition, and leadership roles and approaches are defined. The group is compared to community‐based self‐help groups sharing similar goals of social validation and reinforcement, reduction of anxiety, expanding perceptions of alternative behaviors, and reducing social isolation.