Table 3 Domains, themes, subthemes, and example quotes emerging from the qualitative data analysis

Satisfaction and usefulness of classes

Peer support

“I enjoyed the contact with the other parents” (P371)

“The group of parents was very nice and we were able to share a lot of things. It was also great to meet up again after the childbirth.” (P417)

“We failed to connect with the other parents, most of whom annoyed us.” (P911)

“Meet other future parents with the same questions” (P1174)

“However, it is interesting to know that as young parents we generally have the same issues/questions about parenthood.” (P1672)

Psychological well-being

“The fact that my questions were answered reassured me” (P151)

“This allowed us to project ourselves, to answer questions that were still a bit stressful and the visit to the CHUV also helped to reassure us (knowing where to go, who to contact, delivery room).” (P995)

“Especially the fact that you shouldn’t plan your delivery. It rarely goes as planned  The visit to the delivery room: it’s quite reassuring to have already been there” (P1006)

“Discussing the subject of postpartum depression in its non-accusatory context was beneficial to me, it took away some of my stress and apprehension.” (P1936)

“Exchanging with other people who are in the same situation as us is reassuring.” (P2090)

Moving from teaching to practice

“My delivery didn’t go as well as I thought and I couldn’t put into practice what was taught” (P276)

“Theoretical information on labour did not apply to me, constant pain, no pause between contractions due to [fetal] presentation” (P344)

“On the moment of childbirth I did not put into practice what I had learnt” (P919)

“Pain so intense that it is difficult to keep control of the body and apply the exercises.” (P2259)

Timing of classes

Timing of classes

“I would have preferred earlier in case I had an early delivery “ (P52)

“Not much of a topic [baby’s care], but maybe it’s better that way. One thing after another, right?” (P208)

“It’s not the time I was most receptive to after the birth.”(P64)

“Too early for me but finally it was nice because I had to stop because of my edemas” (P608)

“As long as the baby is not here, it is difficult to retain all the information.” (P819)

“Maybe doing it earlier would have been less tiring (I’m talking for someone like me who worked full-time up to 37 weeks).” (P1531)

“I didn’t learn much or it was too late to learn it. I would have liked to have the course around the 5th month” (P2320)

Content of classes

Information about stages of childbirth

“Vague notion of the stages of childbirth to know what to expect” (P2310)

“Useful because we knew the different steps.” (P2214)

“Lack of precision in some phases.—I was told that labour was inevitably long for a first one, I didn’t understand what was going on when everything went very fast.—no info on how to push correctly—no info on expulsion of placenta. I felt unprepared at the end of the birth.” (P2259)

Coping with pain

“More advice on pain management would have been beneficial” (P15)

“Breathing exercises have been a beneficial aid during the management of contraction-related pain” (P318)

“The courses were very comprehensive and informative, but we did not see the breathing exercises and positions, or the possible physical interventions of the spouse, which might have been useful or relieved me” (P526)

“Not enough exercises to explain pushing and breathing.” (P575)

Protocols, hospital procedures and interventions

“I think the only useful information was “ if my water breaks, I go to the CHUV”. ” (P32)

“Practically no mention of the provocation of the childbirth and therefore not informed of the procedure” (P233)

“When I lost red blood, I knew right away that this was not normal…” (P1998)

“Mention when to call the CHUV (first contractions, frequency, pain etc.).” (P1264)

The unexpected/unnatural childbirth

“Unfortunately I had to have a caesarean section. I didn’t feel prepared for it and everything that followed” (P52)

“It was good but I don’t think there is enough talk about the complications that can arise, especially about why a C-section has to happen. I always thought, in my ignorance, that they only happen if the baby is breech. This should be talked about more.” (P608)

“The childbirth did not occur as the standard stated in the sessions.” (P609)

Postnatal care (mothers and babies)

“Nothing about the postnatal period, when you are much more alone, when you have questions about pain, physical disabilities, etc.” (P20)

“No explanation of baby care as putting a baby in a car seat for example. It’s too parenting based. No practice offered” (P52)

“I have the impression that there is never enough information on breastfeeding (although it is difficult), we don’t know a lot about the losses we are going to have, the perineum rehabilitation, etc.”(P64)

“talk more about the existential upheaval that parenthood involves” (P276)

“Not enough content on risks when returning home (depression, isolation, sudden death etc.)” (P456)

“Nothing was covered in these courses and I think it’s a shame because I didn’t know how to deal with a child.” (P575)

“We didn’t talk much about the baby’s first few weeks. Everything we were able to discuss was useful. We also learned about the resources and professionals available to us for this stage (suggestion of the midwife after the birth, breastfeeding help, etc.).” (P1249)

“I think that sleep (parent and child) is an important point, mentioning the evolution over the first 6 months (the child must learn to fall asleep alone, techniques etc.)” (P264)

P 2340 would have liked to discuss "Postpartum depression, hormone crash, fatigue and normalization of emotions of a woman who has just given birth"