NewPreBP: Project Newborn -Preparation for Birth and Parenthood. A Large Interdisciplinary Randomised Trial on the Effect of Birth and Parent Preparation

Antenatal education Today Danish antenatal classes are primarily offered in auditoriums as lectures with a minimum of interaction with the audience. The Danish regions currently aim in time to implement antenatal birth and parent preparation classes in small groups for all expectant parents. However, it is unknown if 1) antenatal preparation in small groups is superior to standard care; 2) what elements the preparation should encompass to meet the needs of expectant parents today; and 3) what the cost-effectiveness of antenatal preparation in small groups is compared to large-scale preparation in auditoriums.

Trial objectives and purpose The primary aim is to compare parenting resources, health and thriving, and use of healthcare services in newborn families enrolled in a research-based standardised antenatal birth and parenting program in small groups with those allocated to standard care.

Development of the program: We have developed a comprehensive, theoretically founded parenting program in collaboration with midwives, health care visitors, a psychologist and family therapist, parents, and leading national and international researchers and clinicians in this field.

Process evaluation: Focus group interviews with service providers, group facilitators and participants will be carried out. Program fidelity e.g. whether the protocol is followed in program delivery, and how much of the intended program the participants are receiving, as well as program reach e.g. what proportions of the intended groups are participating in the program, has an impact on the effect of an intervention. We will evaluate whether the protocol is followed in program delivery and how much of the intended program the participants are receiving. Participants will be asked to fill in an electronic questionnaire on-site at the end of each session. The questionnaire will highlight whether the intended subjects of the session have been covered as well as to what extent the participants found the information given useful. Group facilitators will be asked to fill in a similar questionnaire with the opportunity to explain why certain topics may have been omitted.

Non respondent/non-participation: What proportions of the intended groups are participating in the program will be explored by examining demographic characteristics of those who declined to participate in the trial via the national registers, as well as examining characteristics of those who accepted and then did or did not show up for the sessions.