Public display of affection in couples attending childbirth education classes: implications for practice in Thailand.

The purpose of this article is to describe couples' touch behaviors and positions during their interactions in childbirth education class exercises in the United States-practices that might be construed differently among couples in Thailand. Using observations collected at childbirth education classes conducted in the United States during the fall of 2002, the author found four positions that would be considered culturally sensitive with her Thai experiences. Perhaps with some modifications in the technique, mothers and their partners in Thailand will more readily accept childbirth education classes.