Childbirth: Expectations, choices, and trends

Abstract

Over the past few years information and knowledge about the psychological aspects of intrauterine fetal death prenatal diagnosis and fear of childbirth has increased substantially. This has led to the changing of attitudes among health personnel and parents in these areas. Among obstetricians there is an increased knowledge and awareness of the different phases of the grief process and most clinics have established routines to assist grieving parents. In the context of increased knowledge of psychology and ethics in the field of prenatal diagnosis efforts are being made to tackle issues surrounding screening through continuing discussions in the public arena and among professionals. Moreover womens autonomy and their right to decide the mode of their delivery is a third area where attitudes are changing. Many women suffer extreme fear of childbirth which they may associate with pain death and loss of control. The ongoing dialogue about technical and scientific development and the application of new methods in clinical practice in this field must be continued.