The Design of a Maternal Education Program Based on Analysis of Needs and Collaborative Work

The article presents an analysis of the needs for maternal education associated with the stages of pregnancy, birth and post-partum and how these are transformed into a group maternal education program that is universally applicable. The investigation is carried out in Catalonia, one of the autonomous communities of Spain. The resulting product of the investigation is an educative program offered by the public health service to all women and their partners, if they have one, during pregnancy. The methodology is qualitative, in its cooperative action investigation aspect. The information is collected using the technique of discussion groups. In total there were 7 discussion groups in which a total of 70 people participated, of which 56 were midwives and 14 people who had received some kind of maternal education through the Public Health Agency of Catalonia. The needs detected were transformed into a universal program of group maternal education, based on scientific evidence, linked to the public health system of Catalonia. The professionals in charge of its application are principally the midwives. The program aims to strengthen parents’ skills when dealing with pregnancy, childbirth and the first few months of the babies’ upbringing (puerperium) and therefore reduce risks associated with each of these stages. The purpose of the program is twofold, to improve the overall welfare of the mothers, fathers and babies by promoting good treatment and good infant care.