IMR Press / CEOG / Volume 42 / Issue 2 / DOI: 10.12891/ceog1762.2015

Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.

Original Research
Fear of childbirth in women with normal pregnancy evolution
Show Less
1 Department of Obsterics and Gynecology, Nenehatun Hospital, Erzurum
2 Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Science, Atatürk University, Erzurum (Turkey)
Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol. 2015, 42(2), 179–183; https://doi.org/10.12891/ceog1762.2015
Published: 10 April 2015
Abstract

Purpose of investigation: The authors aimed to research the prevalence of fear of childbirth (FOC) in women with a positive birth experience and some factors associated with FOC. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 817 women with positive birth experience within the last month of their pregnancy from February 2012 to May 2013. The data were collected with a questionnaire form including women’s demographic-obstetric information and the Turkish form of Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire. Whether itwas a planned pregnancy and their preferable delivery method for the current pregnancy were recorded. Results: The total number of women with FOC was found to be 128 (15.6%). None of the patients had severe FOC. Fear of labour pain was found as the major cause for preferring cesarean section (73.5%). FOC was associated with preferring delivery methods (OR 5.91, 95% CI 3.96-8.84). FOC was associated with pregnancy planning status (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.66-3.58). Conclusion: Fear of childbirth may be seen to some extent in women with a positive birth experience. However even with woman’s positive birth experience, it is important to avoid severe FOC. The pregnancy planning status should be evaluated in the early stages of pregnancy and maternal education programs may be offered to reduce FOC level.
Keywords
Fear of childbirth
Positive birth experience
Parous
Pregnancy planning status
Share
Back to top