Question

When assessing a client at 12 weeks of gestation, the nurse recommends that she and her husband consider attending childbirth preparation classes. When is the best time for the couple to attend these classes? A. At 16 weeks of gestation B. At 20 weeks of gestation C. At 24 weeks of gestation D. At 30 weeks of gestation

Answer 1

Childbirth preparation classes are best attended at 30 weeks of gestation during the last trimester when the information learned will be most relevant in the near future.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best time for a couple to attend childbirth preparation classes is at 30 weeks of gestation (option D). These classes are considered beneficial in the last trimester of pregnancy, as the information provided regarding labour, birth, and newborn care would be freshest in the parents' minds before childbirth. The last trimester starts from the 28th week of gestation onwards.

During weeks 21 to 30, the fetus undergoes significant developmental changes, including rapid weight gain and fetal breathing movements which begin around week 20. It's also the time when the lungs of the fetus start producing surfactant, a substance that assists in proper lung expansion after birth.

These developmental facts and awareness of the newborn's state can aid potential parents to understand the childbirth process better and feel more prepared. Hence, it is generally recommended that childbirth preparation classes be taken during this period to get the most benefit.

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