Promoting first trimester prenatal classes: a survey.

In June 1990, 436 women and their spouses attending prenatal classes in the Ottawa-Carleton region completed a self-administered questionnaire to identify use of and interest in first trimester prenatal classes, and possible contact points with women to encourage early prenatal class attendance. Only 23% of the women had attended classes during the first trimester, but another 39% said they would have been interested. Two major categories of deterrents to early prenatal class attendance were found: 1) low level of public knowledge about availability and usefulness and 2) low physician patient referral. Most (89.4%) women went to their physician early in pregnancy, and many (45.7%) found out they were pregnant through the drug store. Suggested approaches to promoting first trimester attendance at prenatal classes include public awareness campaigns through pharmacies, the workplace and in the general community, and education programs for physicians about the importance of referral to early classes.