Results from a study investigating the effectiveness of providing a psychosocial intervention in standard preparation for parenthood classes will be presented. Over 200 couples attending these evening classes were randomly allocated to one of three conditions : The usual six session class (UC); the usual six sessions plus one session focussing on couple empathy and practical coping strategies in the early postpartum period (E); or the usual six session plus one session Focussing on playing with the baby in the early postpartum period (thus controlling for non-specific effects) (BP).

Couples were then interviewed at home at 6 weeks postpartum, and the mother was again interviewed at six months postpartum with additional information obtained form the father via questionnaires at this time.

The focus of this presentation will be on the maternal and paternal adjustment measures, and in particular the significantly lower EPDS scores for women with low self-esteem who attended the Empathy sessions. Video footage of some of the session components will be shown.