Fear of Childbirth: Prevalence and Associated Factors in Pregnant Women of a Maternity in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Background: The fear of childbirth harms maternal and fetal health, but it is little studied in Brazil. This study aimed to calculate the prevalence of fear of childbirth in a maternity hospital in southern Brazil and its associated factors, besides to identify the content of the fear and the information sources about childbirth. Methods: The Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (Version A) was used to calculate the prevalence of fear of childbirth, and it's score was associated with sociodemographic variables, gestational history, aspects of the current pregnancy, knowledge about childbirth, anxiety symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory), depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and perception of social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support). Were also applied questionnaires about the content of the fear of childbirth and information sources about childbirth. The non-parametric Mann-Whitney, Spearman and Kruskal-Wallis correlation tests were used in the statistical analysis. Results: Were included 125 pregnant women between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, and 12% of them scored ≥85 on the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (Version A), indicating severe fear of childbirth. There was a significant correlation between fear of childbirth and anxiety symptoms (r=0.50, p<0.001), depressive symptoms (r=0.34, p<0.001) and social support (r=-0.23, p=0.008). The fear was lower in pregnant women with complete elementary education compared to those with higher education (p=0.003), and those with negative experiences in previous deliveries had more fear of childbirth than who had positive experiences (p=0.001). More than 85% of them fear fetal distress. Conclusions:Fear of childbirth is a prevalent condition and health professionals must know how to recognize and address it during prenatal care, improving maternal-fetal care.