Abstract
Background
The prevalence of fear of birth has been estimated between 8–30%, but there is considerable
heterogeneity in research design, definitions, measurement tools used and populations.
There are some inconclusive findings about the stability of childbirth fear.
Aim
to assess the prevalence and characteristics of women presenting with scores ≥60 on
FOBS-The Fear of Birth Scale, in mid and late pregnancy, and to study change in fear
of birth and associated factors.
Methods
A prospective longitudinal cohort study of a one-year cohort of 1212 pregnant women
from a northern part of Sweden, recruited in mid pregnancy and followed up in late
pregnancy. Fear of birth was assessed using FOBS-The fear of birth scale, with the
cut off at ≥60.
Findings
The prevalence of fear of birth was 22% in mid pregnancy and 19% in late pregnancy,
a statistically significant decrease. Different patterns were found where some women
presented with increased fear and some with decreased fear. The women who experienced
more fear or less fear later in pregnancy could not be differentiated by background
factors.
Conclusions
More research is needed to explore factors important to reduce fear of childbirth
and the optimal time to measure it.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 07, 2017
Accepted:
February 3,
2017
Received in revised form:
January 31,
2017
Received:
January 10,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
