Prevalence, related factors, and outcomes of fear of childbirth in pregnant women visiting health centers in Tabriz, Iran: a prospective study

Fear of childbirth (FOC) is common among pregnant women, negatively impacting their experiences during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of FOC, its related factors, and outcomes, including pregnancy experiences (uplifts and hassles), childbirth experiences, and delivery type. This prospective study included 360 pregnant women attending health centers in Tabriz, Iran. The data collection tools included the socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics questionnaire, Wijma delivery expectancy/experience questionnaire version A (W-DEQ-Version A), pregnancy experience scale (PES), and the childbirth experience questionnaire 2 (CEQ 2). Bivariate analyses using Pearson correlation, independent t-tests, and one-way ANOVA and multivariate analysis using a general linear model were conducted to identify FOC-related factors and outcomes. The results showed FOC prevalence was mild in 16.9%, moderate in 41.7%, high in 32.8%, and severe in 8.6% of participants. Factors associated with higher FOC included being primigravida (p < 0.001), insufficient or partially sufficient monthly income compared to sufficient income (p = 0.005, p = 0.016), moderate and high levels of husband support versus very high support (p = 0.019, p = 0.001), and partial marital satisfaction compared to complete satisfaction (p = 0.017). Multiparous women without a history of dystocia reported significantly lower FOC than those with such a history (p < 0.001). Regarding outcomes related to FOC, higher FOC scores were significantly associated with a decrease in uplifting pregnancy experience scores (p = 0.009), an increase in hassling pregnancy experience scores (p < 0.001), and a decrease in CEQ scores (p < 0.001). The study found no statistically significant relationship between delivery type and FOC scores. Understanding these factors and outcomes is crucial for healthcare providers to establish effective communication with mothers and their partners, empowering self-expression and enabling specialists to grasp the emotions, experiences, and expectations of women and their spouses. This knowledge can contribute to a peaceful mindset and increased self-assurance during pregnancy, giving birth, and the postpartum phase.