Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Fear of childbirth is common during pregnancy and may contribute to several adverse outcomes. We aimed to investigate childbirth fear and associated factors in a sample of pregnant Iranian women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 525 pregnant women in Sabzevar, Iran from December 2016 to March 2017. The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaires (W-DEQ) was used to investigate fear of childbirth. RESULTS: The mean W-DEQ score was 67.6±23.5. Of 525 women, 19.6% and 6.1% experienced moderate (mean W-DEQ score ≥ 85) and severe (mean W-DEQ score ≥ 100) fear of childbirth, respectively. W-DEQ scores were not different in the categories of gestational age, parity, maternal age, educational level, body mass index, and employment status (p > 0.050). The mean score of childbirth fear was significantly higher in multiparas who preferred cesarean in comparison to those who preferred vaginal delivery (p < 0.032). The mean score of childbirth fear was significantly higher in nulliparas with a lower family income compared to those with a higher family income (p < 0.011). In nulliparas, predictors of moderate and severe childbirth fear were women's description of their present pregnancy (odds ratio (OR) = 2.600; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.323-5.112), and receiving a low level of emotional support from their husband (OR = 4.450; 95% CI: 1.349-14.674), respectively. In multiparas, predictors of childbirth fear were unwanted pregnancy (OR = 2.930; 95% CI: 1.549-3.541), experiencing moderate to severe dyspareunia in the first intercourse (OR = 2.829; 95% CI: 1.479-5.414), having a low level of physical activity (OR = 1.942; 95% CI: 1.014-3.716), and perceived a low level of health (OR = 3.415; 95% CI: 1.172-9.950). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a relatively high prevalence of childbirth fear in pregnant women in Iran. Interventions should be implemented in high-risk women considering psychological variables.