Dissatisfaction with the husband support increases childbirth fear among Indonesian primigravida

Abstract

To investigate the predictors of childbirth fear among Indonesian primigravida. This cross-sectional study involved 126 third trimester primigravidas in Bekasi city, Indonesia through a cluster sampling. We used the Indonesian version of Marital Adjustment Test (MAT), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-R2), and Wijma Delivery Experience/Expectancy Questionnaire (WDEQ-A). Severe childbirth fear was reported by 45.2% women. The women's satisfaction of the husband support (OR 11.96, 95% CI 4.3-33.1) and anxiety (OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.4-7.9) were found as the predictors of childbirth fear. However, knowledge regarding childbirth and stress were identified as two factors significantly related to childbirth fear (p<.005). The lower satisfaction of the husband support increased the probability of childbirth fear. It is recommended for health care providers to facilitate husbands throughout antenatal care to support his wife in preventing childbirth fear.