Preparation for childbirth has become increasingly popular among parturient women. This study investigated whether these courses offer significant physical and psychological benefits. Fifty-one gravid patients were followed from their last routine antenatal visit until 48 h postdelivery. Thirty-one of them had participated in a childbirth preparation course during the current pregnancy. Comparisons between course participants and non-participants yielded no global differences in the examined outcome variables. Significant intergroup differences were found in the subjects' postdelivery reactions, and significant correlations were found between subjects' perceptions of specific components of the preparation courses and specific outcomes. Primiparas seemed to benefit the most from course participation. Women's postdelivery evaluations of the course indicated the fulfilment of their expectations on most topics. Their highest expectation from the course was to improve their co-operation during labor.Zusammenfa...