Izzivi za kakovostno izobraževanje v pripravi na porod in starševstvo

The article presents an overview and analysis of current practices in antenatal classes in Slovenia. The findings of the recent study show that organizational changes and changes in the content are needed in this field. Authors firstly present the interdisciplinary issues of midwifery, obstetrics and family andragogy and link them with factors affecting efficiency of parenthood education, according to different models of education. It is established that Slovenian antenatal education has a rich history; however, recent foreign innovations are being adopted only slowly. Models of care that promote individualized continuous midwifery care during pregnancy, birth and postpartum period are becoming a standard practice abroad. They require a new approach to parenthood preparation. In order to test the model of continuity of midwifery care in the Slovenian context, a pilot study was carried out in 2010. The project Healthy Women – Healthy Families involved antenatal classes that were run according to contemporary guidelines of best practice. An interdisciplinary approach was adopted to address all the needs of women and their partners in the tran- sition to parenthood. This was the first attempt to innovate the current approach of parentcraft educational programmes in Slovenia. The participants of the project expressed a high level of satisfaction with continuity of midwifery care and counselling opportunities, organization and realization of the programme. They praised the new approach and methods of education introduced in antenatal classes. For the future, they expressed the wish to get more information regarding postnatal adap- tation, breast-feeding and the opportunity to speak more freely about the effects a child has on relations between partners. In conclusion the authors present a list of suggested improvements for the Slovenian antenatal classes, based on the relevant literature and the experience gained during the pilot study