Does fear of childbirth in nulliparous women affect fetal outcomes?

SUMMARY

OBJECTIVE:  In this study, an investigation was undertaken to determine whether the well-being of the fetus is affected in pregnant women who have a severe fear of childbirth.

METHODS:  Participants were nulliparous pregnant women at 37 weeks of gestation. The Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire-A questionnaire, validated for the Turkish population, was used to assess the degree of fear of childbirth of the study subjects. Cases where labor began spontaneously and resulted in a vaginal delivery were included in the study. A total of 44 patients were investigated during the study period. The cases were divided into two groups according to the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire-A scores.

RESULTS:  There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding fetal cord blood gas parameters and Apgar scores at the first and fifth minutes. Fear of childbirth in nulliparous cases did not affect the fetal cord blood gas parameters or Apgar scores. It was observed that the duration of the second stage of labor was statistically significantly longer in women with severe fear of birth (p=0.036).

CONCLUSION:  As a result, tocophobia can prolong the duration of the second stage of labor, does not affect fetal oxygenation, and does not change fetal cord blood gas parameters and Apgar scores. It is aimed to verify this result with large-scale studies and to encourage prospective studies.

KEYWORDS:
Apgar score; Fear; Blood gas analysis; Pregnancy outcome

KEY MESSAGE:
Tocophobia may prolong the duration of the second stage of labor; however, it does not affect fetal oxygenation, fetal cord blood gas parameters, or Apgar scores.