Improving Health Literacy in Maternity Care

[Healtheducator]

Antenatal and postnatal education plays a crucial role in preparing expectant parents for the journey of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. It helps to empower them with knowledge, confidence, and support during this important transformative time.

I am conducting a research study to explore innovative ways to support pregnancy and childbirth through enhanced health education solutions.

If you could spare just 5-10 minutes to complete a brief questionnaire, it would greatly aid the development of tools that offer personalised, interactive, and accessible support for everyone on this incredible journey.

👉 You can complete the questionnaire using the link below:
https://forms.gle/h5oCEu8VkCcAdNsj8

Thank you in advance for your time and valuable input!

Done 😊

Pregnant people? Do you mean women?

"Pregnant people"?! The first step in improving health literacy is using clear language which is accessible to those with learning impairment or for whom English is a second language. This means using more understandable terms like pregnant women.

Health literacy and it says pregnant people. Why not women🤔

I know in midwifery training, students are being taught to use the term “pregnant people” and “women and birthing people” instead of women.

Aw shit, was absolutely ready to do this, given the issues had in pregnancy but so put off by the word salad of 'pregnant people'.

I thought this was being reversed.

Maybe it’s changed then but last year this was the case

Ah I'd have filled this in but unfortunately I'm not 'pregnant people'

I'm a woman.

Sort it out.

Thank you so much for all your input so far!

The comments about using the term pregnant women have been noted and part of the reason why this research is so important in helping us understand how pregnant women and birthing people wish to be addressed. The comment about this being confusing for women where English is not their first language is also key in this discussion as the aim is to improve health literacy for all!

Birthing people is a terrible term I find it quite offensive. It sounds like a machine or person whose job it is to give birth. Sounds like something out of the hand maids tale. And it surely wouldn’t make sense if we want clear plain English.
Some people have also thought it to mean the partner of the pregnant woman or an ante natal teacher.

I was ready to fill this in but when I saw that I was referred to as a ‘birthing person,’ I declined. It makes me sound like a child carrying vessel from The Handmaid’s Tale.

No, thank you.

Pregnant women is the phrase you should use.

Edit to say, I wrote this response without having read the one directly above it.

@Healtheducator hopefully an outcome will be that its more important for pregnant women to understand important information regarding their and their baby's health that could be life saving than not calling someone who is going to be a mother a mother.
Very much agree with @fashionqueen0123 'birthing people' sounds like a role or task, like the woman is only there to provide a function...

We are pregnant
No we're not