A comparison of childbirth expectations in high-risk and low-risk pregnant women.

Abstract

This study described and compared the childbirth expectations of high-risk and low-risk pregnant women and then examined the influence of anxiety, risk status, and childbirth preparation on these expectations. This descriptive correlational study employed a convenience sample of 75 high-risk nulliparas and 77 low-risk nulliparas. Results indicated that high-risk pregnant women had significantly less positive expectations for their childbirth experience than did low-risk pregnant women. In particular, high-risk pregnant women expected more medical intervention and more difficulty coping with pain during their labor and birth. For both groups of women, anxiety was negatively correlated with childbirth expectations, whereas childbirth preparation was positively correlated with childbirth expectations.