COVID-19 Impact on Group Prenatal Education: A Comparison of Virtual and In-Person Formats.

This retrospective study compared knowledge, intention, and satisfaction outcomes between pregnant women who attended prenatal education in person ( = 202; 55%) prior to the COVID-19 pandemic or virtually ( = 166; 45%) during the pandemic. Results identified increases in knowledge and intention for a healthy pregnancy and safe infant care for both groups. Virtual participants were less likely to endorse developing a birth plan ( = 0.035), knowledge of breastfeeding resources ( = 0.006), confidence in the ability to breastfeed ( = 0.033), and plans to use only a safe infant sleep location ( = 0.045). Important education was provided by continuing Baby Talk during the pandemic. However, topics with activities/demonstrations during in-person learning that were discontinued for virtual learning had significantly lower increases for virtual participants. Virtual education should incorporate more demonstrations/activities.