Content of Childbirth‐Related Fear in Swedish Women and Men—Analysis of an Open‐Ended Question

Abstract

The content of childbirth-related fear as described by 308 women and 194 men was analyzed and compared in relation to intensity of fear. The content of fear was similarly described by women and men and concerned the following main categories: the labor and delivery process, the health and life of the baby, the health and life of the woman, own capabilities and reactions, the partner's capabilities and reactions, and the professionals' competence and behavior. Among women, the labor and delivery process was the most frequently reported among the 6 categories of fears, whereas the health and life of the baby was the most frequent among the men. Fears related to own capabilities and reactions were described significantly more often by women with intense fear than by women with mild to moderate fear. The greatest difference between men with intense versus mild to moderate fear was a more frequent expression of concern for the health and life of the woman. Both women and men had fears related to not being treated with respect and not receiving sufficient medical care. This finding suggests that part of the problem with childbirth-related fear is located within the health care system itself.

Paternal Fears of Childbirth: A Literature Review

“…The fathers described how they would have a difficult time seeing their partner as a sexual being after witnessing the birth. White's results were similar to findings reported by Wielgos et al (2006) and by Eriksson et al (2006).…”

“…However, the number one rated fear for fathers remains consistent from country to country-the fear of losing their partner's well-being and the fear of a partner possibly dying during childbirth (Chalmers & Meyer, 1996;Elster & Panzarine, 1983;Eriksson et al, 2006;Greenhalgh et al, 2000;VehvilainenJulkunen & Liukkonen, 1998;White, 2007). An equally large proportion of fathers rate fear for the loss of well-being and fear for the health of their unborn child as their greatest fears (Chalmers & Meyer, 1996;Chandler & Field, 1997;Eriksson et al, 2006;Greenhalgh et al, 2000;VehvilainenJulkunen & Liukkonen, 1998). Among the most difficult experiences reported by fathers are observing the mother experience pain, feeling concern for the baby's well-being related to heart sounds, and a feeling of helplessness in regard to appropriate action that might be taken.…”

“…The second greatest fear was the possibility of a cesarean or vacuum delivery, followed by having a baby with birth injuries and by fears of other complications, feelings of helplessness, inability to help, and stillbirth. Eriksson et al (2005Eriksson et al ( , 2006) developed a questionnaire to examine experiential factors associated with childbirth-related fears in Swedish men (n ¼ 329) and women (n ¼ 410). The tool ranked fathers' level of fear and types of fear.…”

“…The fathers also doubted their own childrearing capabilities but rarely feared for their partner's ability to raise their child. Eriksson et al (2005Eriksson et al ( , 2006 reported that, in their studies, fathers with intense childbirth-related fear tended to be older, and that questions with the highest loading factors of fathers' childbirth-related fear concurred with the paternal childbirth fear data described in previous ethnographic analysis (Chandler & Field, 1997). These questions were, ''Pregnancy can feel like being in captivity waiting for torture'' (Eriksson et al, 2005, p. 65); ''I did not want to worry my partner so I said nothing about the fear I felt'' (p. 66); ''Fear related to childbirth is never spoken about'' (p. 66); and ''Childbirth is a risky situation' ' (p. 66).…”

Prevalence of Fear of Childbirth and Its Associated Factors in Primigravid Women: A Cross- Sectional Study

“…In a study, of the 100 women who suffered an intense fear of childbirth, over 65% were worried about their performance in labor and their bodies' abilities to give birth (22). These concerns were attributed to having little hope for overcoming the labor and achieving positive outcomes (23,24). External conditions refer to the environment and context, where women give birth, and their interactions with health care professionals.…”