Prevalence and Risk Factors for Serious Birth Concerns in Unselected Population of Mothers

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Serious Birth Concerns in Unselected Population of Mothers

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of significant concerns about childbirth and their impact on the course and outcome of childbirth. By identifying a group of mothers who have an excessive fear of childbirth, the occurrence of surgical births can be influenced by the right intervention.

The fear of childbirth is one of the most common mental health concerns during pregnancy. Elevated levels of anxiety during childbirth may lead to increased risk of elective caesarean section or prolonged labour. About 80% of pregnant women suffer from certain kind of childbirth fear. The most commonly used tool for assessment and diagnosis of childbirth fear is Wijma Delivery Expectance Questionnaire (WDEQ). This questionnaire has been translated and validated into several languages. In 2020 the Slovak version of the questionnaire was validated. All women who completed antenatal counseling at 36 weeks of gestation were included in the cohort. A slovak version of questionnaire was issued to all women and the results were recorded in the protocol. Subsequently, demographic data, medical facts and childbirth outcome were added from the medical documentation. The results of the birth were compared with the results of the questionnaire.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The investigators involve every nullipara and multipara giving birth at 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Bratislava and Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic in a period of two years

Exclusion Criteria:

• unwilling to participate, minors (under 18 years old), high risk pregnancy, foetus mortus or perinatal death of the newborn, with slovak language, previous Caesarean section (for multipara)