The Primary Care Directorate of the Lanzarote Health Area, attached to the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, has launched an online childbirth preparation program designed by the midwives of the centers in the basic health areas of the island.
This project, aimed at pregnant women from 28 weeks of gestation, responds to "the effort of the group of professionals from the health centers to continue with group maternal education and support for childbirth preparation in the current conditions imposed by the pandemic," according to the Ministry.
In this regard, it is recalled that during the health crisis caused by Covid-19, this training had to be suspended since pregnant women could not attend the preparation sessions with their partners at the health centers. Although currently some of the centers such as Teguise have resumed the traditional development of classes in person and combine it with online training.
As explained, the formula adopted to provide training for women facing the last stage of pregnancy is "very simple" and only requires the installation of a webcam on the computer or portable device to follow the group classes live through a video call link sent by each midwife to the women in her health area.
The group of Primary Care midwives emphasizes the "good reception" that this new way of approaching the process of giving birth has had among pregnant women, compared to the individual advice that had been offered.
According to the island coordinator, Yurima Henández, "women value being able to share their doubts and the different stages of pregnancy with the rest of the group." "In addition, the responses and information from the professionals provide them with greater security and the necessary serenity to face childbirth," she adds.
They also point out that online classes make it possible to be accompanied by their partners during the training and that they can even involve their other children in them, which is a "very rewarding" experience for the pregnant woman.
The online program takes place in 5 sessions and addresses the different stages of childbirth, breathing, contractions and pain relief methods, as well as the importance of pelvic movement during childbirth. The classes also offer training on postpartum, breastfeeding and newborn care.
According to the Ministry of Health, the sessions are having a "good level of follow-up, even greater than in person", so Primary Care is considering promoting telematics training even when group classes are allowed and making it compatible with face-to-face training.
