Scholarly record
RISK FACTORS OF CHILDBIRTH- RELATED FEAR AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN
Abstract
Aim: Research aim is to explore the differences in the childbirth- related fear with regard to age, parity, previous birth experience and socio-economic factors. Another objective of the research was assessing the link between childbirth- related fear and symptoms of depression among pregnant women. Method: The research sample includes 136 women (age 29.82±5.68). Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ-A) was used for assessing the childbirth- related fear; and Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale was used for evaluating the severity of depression symptoms. Students t-test, ANOVA and correlation analysis were employed. Results: Results have shown that increased levels of childbirth- related fear occurred in 23.53% of women in a research sample. Women who evaluated their previous birth experience as negative had significantly higher levels of childbirth- related fear compared to women with positive previous birth experience, and primiparas (F= 6.65; p? 0.01). Type of previous birth was also significantly related to the level of childbirth- related fear. Women with previous vaginal birth and scheduled C-section had lower levels of fear compared to women with previous emergency C-section and instrumental (forceps, ventouse) type of birth (F= 3.90; p? 0.05). Statistically significant differences in childbirth- related fear with regard to financial situation were also found (F= 8.49; p? 0.001). There were also differences in level of childbirth- related fear (t= -2.78; p? 0.01) between women, who completed antenatal education and those who didnt. Depression symptoms were significantly related to intensity of childbirth- related fear (R=0.44; p? 0.001). Age was not significantly related to childbirth-related fear, and no statistically significant differences were found with regard to parity. Conclusion: Results showed that previous birth experience, as well as socioeconomic factors (financial stress) and lacking antenatal education are factors increasing risk of high levels of childbirth- related fear, which leads to lower quality of life in pregnancy and might negatively affects the course and outcome of birth. Due to negative implications of intensive childbirth-related fear to both woman and child, this issue requires higher attention in antenatal health care, and specific screening procedures and interventions should be included in antenatal education courses.
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