Primigravida Women's Fear of Childbirth and Its Effect on Their Decision Regarding Mode of Delivery

Background: Fear or phobia of childbirth is a significant distressing psychological disorder encountered among 14% of women of childbearing age. It is known as Tokophobiamaleusiophobia and parturiphobia. It is more common among primigravida women and can influence their decision on the mode of delivery. Little attention has been given to primigravida women's fear of childbirth and its effect on their decision regarding mode of delivery. The aim of this study: was to assess primigravida women's fear of childbirth and its effect on their decision regarding the mode of delivery. Subjects and Method: The study was conducted in Egypt at 3 outpatient clinics of Obstetric and Gynecological Departments of Tanta University Hospital, El-Menshawy General Hospital and Kom-Hamade General Hospital (Ministry of Health and Population). Convenient subjects of 240 women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in this study. They were selected from the previously mentioned settings, (80) from each setting. Five tools were developed and used to collect the study data: Tool (I): Socio-demographic and reproductive structured interview schedule. Tool (II) pregnant women fear of childbirth questionnaire. Tool (III) Anxiety scale for pregnancy (ASP). Tool (IV): Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to measure primigravida women's level of anxiety and its effect on pregnant women' body. Tool (V): Pregnant women's decision on the mode of delivery. Results: The results of the present study revealed that primigravida women experienced various levels of fear of childbirth that effected their decision regarding mode of delivery. Conclusion and recommendations: Primigravida women experienced high level of fear of childbirth. Thus, it is recommended that providing comprehensive antenatal care including psycho-educational nursing intervention, especially for primigravida and their husbands or partners is very important.