Maternal Parental Self-Efficacy Following Child-Focused Birth Preparation Classes for Families Expecting a Second Child: A Pilot Exploratory Study

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Mothers expecting a second child experience the parenting of multiple children for the first time, differing from first-time motherhood. This highlights the need for childbirth preparation education tailored to families expecting a second child. Parental self-efficacy influences maternal mental health, child development, and parent-child interactions. This non-randomized pilot exploratory study aimed to examine the association between childbirth preparation education for families expecting a second child and maternal parental self-efficacy at 1-month postpartum, focusing on a family-based, single-session program actively involving firstborn children. <b>Methods</b>: The intervention group (n = 18) received childbirth preparation education during pregnancy and completed questionnaires and semi-structured interviews at 1-month postpartum. The control group (n = 34) completed questionnaires only at 1-month postpartum. Questionnaires included the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Maternal Attachment Inventory, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and demographic information. Semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences and feelings after attending the childbirth preparation class. <b>Results:</b> Compared to the control group, the intervention group had higher Parenting Sense of Competence Scale scores; mothers in the intervention group reported smoother family-wide adaptation to life with a second child, greater confidence in child-rearing, recognition of the firstborn's growth into an older sibling, and effective use of hands-on experiences from the class. <b>Conclusions</b>: Childbirth preparation education for families expecting a second child may be associated with higher maternal parental self-efficacy at 1-month postpartum. This association may reflect collective family preparation and adjustment supporting adaptation to life with a second child.