Objective Analysis of information support provided for new mothers with reference to their participation in antenatal classes and the number of past pregnancies.

Methods The study was conducted in the years 2006–2007 and involved 352 women in obstetric and neonatal wards in the chosen hospitals of Szczecin, Poland. A method of the diagnostic survey was applied with a support assessment questionnaire of the author’s own design. The results were subjected to statistical analysis with the Pearson chi-square test. Primiparas constituted 55.4% and multiparas 44.6% of all examined women; only 14.77% of the surveyed completed antenatal classes.

Results Analysis of the data referring to the number of past pregnancies showed that primiparas significantly more often than multiparas obtained information about bathing a baby, care of baby’s umbilical cord, skin and mucous membranes. No statistically significant differences were found in such elements as nappy changing, dealing with burping, baby’s diet in the first year of life, baby’s safety, neonatal adaptation symptoms. Another analysed variable was participation in antenatal classes. The participants in antenatal classes significantly more often received information about bathing a baby, nappy changing, care of umbilical cord, dealing with burping and baby colic, baby’s diet in the first year of life, baby’s safety, and disturbing symptoms. Analysis of other variables did not reveal any statistically significant differences.

Conclusions Irrespective of the number of past pregnancies and participation in antenatal classes, preparing women for baby care requires great involvement of obstetric and neonatal ward workers.