Introduction: There is growing evidence of the considerable impact of fear of childbirth on women's health and well-being, but prevalence reports of high and severe fear of childbirth and reported risk factors have been inconsistent in various studies. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of high and severe fear of childbirth, and to identify risk factors of childbirth fear.
Material And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 882 pregnant women attending antenatal care in Cork, Ireland. Fear of childbirth was assessed using the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire version A (W-DEQ A) using a cut-off ≥66 to define high fear and ≥85 to define severe fear. Associated risk factors were investigated using univariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regression analyses. Four W-DEQ A subscales were calculated using a cut-off ≥2.5 to determine the nature of childbirth fear.
Results: Overall prevalence of severe fear of childbirth was 5.3% and high fear of childbirth was 36.7%. The prevalence of severe fear of childbirth was 7.4% in nulliparous women and 4.3% in multiparous women; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P < 0.07). The prevalence of high fear of childbirth was 43% in nulliparous women and 33.6% in multiparous women, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.005). High fear of childbirth was associated with single marital status when compared with married or co-habiting women (P < 0.008). In a multivariate analysis, high fear of childbirth was significantly associated with low perceived informational support (adjusted relative risk ratio 2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-5.13) and possible depression (assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) (adjusted relative risk ratio 12.87, 95% CI 6.07-27.25). In the W-DEQ A subscales, 35.6% of women scored ≥2.5 in Negative Emotions, 29.4% scored ≥2.5 in Lack of Positive Emotions, 9.9% scored ≥2.5 in Social Isolation and 7.8% scored ≥2.5 in Moment of Birth.
Conclusions: Fear of childbirth is relatively common, with varying severity, and was more common in first-time mothers. Using W-DEQ A subscales provided additional information about the nature of the fear, in addition to severity of fear of childbirth.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aogs.13599 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Benefits of yoga in pregnancy: a randomised controlled clinical trial.
J Perinat Med
December 2024
School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Objectives: Modern obstetrics confronts a rise in caesarean sections (CS). Prevention of unnecessary primary CS is a global priority. Women face intense psychological and physiological challenges during childbirth.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaccination of pregnant women: an overview of European policies and strategies to promote it.
Front Public Health
December 2024
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Maternal immunization is a valuable tool for protecting mother and unborn child from vaccine-preventable diseases. However, the implementation of strategies for vaccinating pregnant women has only recently gained traction. This work is aimed at providing an overview of European vaccination strategies and gathering evidence on interventions enhancing vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) in pregnant women.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: With the COVID-19 emergency, the provision of healthcare had to be reorganized. Community Health Services for Families of Trieste adopted new methods to ensure continuity of care and the maintenance of the Standards and Good Practices of the Baby Friendly Initiative of UNICEF for the Birth Care Pathway. The aim of the study was to identify the perceived needs of women, couples, caregivers, and health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate new healthcare strategies, identifying weaknesses and strengths, and future developments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe association between gestational diabetes and fear of childbirth: a longitudinal register study.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth
December 2024
Research and Development Department, Division of Mental Health Services, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.
Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus is a common condition known to be associated with pregnancy complications, larger fetus size and depression, and may therefore lead to increased concerns linked to childbirth. We sought to determine whether gestational diabetes mellitus is linked to fear of childbirth, and whether the possible association is mediated by depressive symptoms.
Methods: This study includes women who gave birth at the Kuopio University Hospital between 2019-2022 and had reported their level of fear of childbirth after gestational week 28 (n = 3293).
The relationship between delivery fear and childbirth experience with the level of adherence to the WHO recommendations for a positive childbirth experience in Iranian women: a cross-sectional study.
Reprod Health
December 2024
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Background: Childbirth experience is a unique event that involves psychological and physiological aspects influenced by social, environmental, organizational, and political factors. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced 56 recommendations for ensuring a positive childbirth experience at different stages of labor and delivery. Owing to the importance of implementing these guidelines, we have chosen to assess adherence to the WHO recommendations and their association with the fear and experience of childbirth.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!