Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of prenatal class attendance on pain management ability, mode of delivery, and duration of labor among women in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A retrospective and prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 298 women who delivered in hospitals and maternity centers across Makkah within the previous 6 months. Participants were divided equally into two groups: those who attended prenatal classes (n = 149) and those who did not (n = 149). Data were collected using medical record reviews and structured interviews.
Results: Among women who attended prenatal classes, 93.3% delivered vaginally compared with 83.9% among non-attendees (χ²(1) = 6.02, p-value = 0.014). Prenatal class attendance significantly reduced the odds of cesarean delivery (adjusted OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.14-0.90, p-value = 0.032) and was associated with higher pain-management ability (mean score = 6.9 ± 0.9, p-value = 0.017). Conversely, longer labor duration Odds Ratio (OR = 1.08, p-value = 0.005) and pregnancy complications (OR = 2.17, p-value = 0.020) increased the likelihood of cesarean section (CS). Overall, 91.3% of participants believed the classes positively influenced their childbirth experience, and 96% recommended them to others.
Conclusion: Prenatal education significantly improves maternal pain-coping ability and reduces CS rates among women in Makkah. The findings underscore the importance of integrating standardized, culturally adapted childbirth education programs into routine antenatal care across Saudi Arabia to promote safer, more positive birthing experiences.

Key words: Prenatal education, cesarean section, pain management, labor duration, maternal outcomes, Saudi Arabia.