A study on fear of childbirth (FOC) and its associated factors with a view to develop a video on childbirth preparation among antenatal women

Abstract

Childbirth is a natural, normal and a life changing event. It usually begins spontaneously about 280 days after conception. Childbirth related fear is identified as a condition that seems chiefly before giving birth (tokophobia) which covers a range of symptoms from worries to severe fear impacting daily life throughout pregnancy towards approaching the birth, and is used as diagnosing and thereby as a reason for caesarean birth. Women might experience a variety of fears in relation to pregnancy and giving birth. These are various physical, psychological and social factors which are associated with fear of childbirth. To explore the fear of childbirth and its associated factors among antenatal women with a view to promote well-being of antenatal women. A quantitative research approach and non-experimental exploratory research design was used including 200 antenatal women as sample visiting antenatal OPD in DMCH, Ludhiana, Punjab. Data was collected by using convenience sampling technique. Socio-demographic profile, Wijma delivery experience questionnaire (WDEQ) 1998 and structured checklist were used to assess the fear of childbirth and its associated factors among antenatal women. Quantitative data was obtained by using interview technique. Data was tabulated and analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics (SPSS, 16) The study revealed that more than half (57%) of antenatal women were in the age group of 20–30 years, (35%) of antenatal women had secondary level of education, 77% were of them living in nuclear family, 72% were living in urban area, 38.5% women were nullipara, 61.5% antenatal women had live babies, 80% women had planned pregnancy. Also found maximum of antenatal women (84%) had moderate fear with mean score of 60.75 ± 3.90, 10% had severe fear and 6% had mild fear of childbirth. The mean score was fear of childbirth was found to be (60.86 ± 6.73) among antenatal women. The factors associated with fear of childbirth such as excessive weight gain, inability to handle responsibilities, transformation of role and responsibilities after delivery and inadequate financial status. The present study concluded that all the antenatal women had fear of childbirth. Fear was higher in 41–50 years age group of antenatal women. Type of family, religion, habitat, socioeconomic status, age at the time of marriage and gender of the last child was found to be associated with fear of childbirth