Birth rate among women with fear of childbirth: a nationwide register-based cohort study in Finland

Fear of childbirth prolongs interpregnancy interval: A nationwide register-based quantile logistic regression analysis

“…A previous study published in Finland in 2023, to the best of our knowledge first nationwide study about the association between FOC and subsequent births found that women with FOC had notably lower birth rates during a 5-year follow-up after the first pregnancy [5] . The results of our study is in line with the results of this study, as it appears that the overall desire for women with FOC to get pregnant again is lower.…”

“…According to a recent case-control analysis in Finland, the main risk factors for the development of FOC in the second pregnancy were a previous fear of childbirth, unplanned cesarean section (CS), vacuum delivery, perineal tear, or shoulder dystocia [4] . Also, women with diagnosed FOC have been found to have a lower birth rate after the first pregnancy [5] .…”

Fear of childbirth and use of labor analgesia: A nationwide register‐based analysis in Finland

“…As the prevalence of FOC is currently rapidly increasing, 3 studies assessing this topic are warranted. In addition, as the range of symptoms caused by FOC was recently found to be higher than thought, including lower birth rate and psychological challenges, 9,10 the studies should focus on the optimal treatment of patients with FOC, and prevent the development of FOC for women without a diagnosis FOC. The results of this study should be acknowledged by the clinicians and anesthesiologists to improve satisfaction levels and to provide optimal treatment for mothers with FOC.…”

“…During the last few years, FOC has raised the concerns of experts in this field, as in addition to rapidly increasing incidence, the negative effects of FOC on the health of the mother and fetus have been found to be wider than thought 8 . In addition, a new study found that women with FOC have notably lower subsequent birth rates 9 . Hence, the psychological mechanisms of FOC are reported to require further investigation with high priority 10–12 .…”

The association between fear of childbirth and social support through the Internet and Social Networking Services in pregnant women: A cross‐sectional study

“…Although the definition and measuring methods of FOC have varied, a meta‐analysis estimated that 14% of pregnant women suffer from FOC (O'Connell et al, 2017). Further, FOC has been shown to have adverse perinatal and psychological effects on women including increased request for caesarean section without medical indication, increased utilization of epidural anesthesia, prolonged delivery, emergency caesarean section, negative birth experiences, pregnancy and postpartum depression, and posttraumatic stress disorders (O'Connell et al, 2021; Takegata et al, 2017; Vaajala et al, 2023). Additionally, FOC contributes to the occurrence of adverse neonatal outcomes such as an increase in neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization and low birth weight infants, and a decrease in mothers' bonding to infants (O'Connell et al, 2015).…”