Abstract
BackgroundIn The Netherlands, women with low‐risk pregnancy are routinely given the option of home birth, providing a unique opportunity to study the relationship between fear of childbirth (FOC) and preference for childbirth location, and whether women experience higher FOC when the actual location differs from their preference.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, 331 nulliparous and parous women completed a questionnaire at gestational week 30 (T1) and two months postpartum (T2). FOC was assessed using versions A (T1) and B (T2) of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W‐DEQ).ResultsAt T1, women who preferred home birth had significantly lower FOC compared with women who preferred a hospital birth (mean ± SD W‐DEQ scores: 55 ± 19.8 and 64 ± 18.3, respectively, P < .01). About 28% of women who responded at T2 gave birth at home. Congruence between the preferred and actual childbirth location was not predictive of FOC assessed at T2 when adjusted for obstetric and psychological variables. In an extended analysis, we found that except for prepartum FOC, the following variables also correlated with postpartum FOC: being referred because of complications and poor neonatal condition.ConclusionsCompared to women who prefer hospital birth, women who prefer home birth have lower prepartum and postpartum FOC. Giving birth at a location other than the preferred location does not appear to affect postpartum FOC. Whether giving birth at home or in the hospital, caregivers should pay extra attention to women with high FOC because they are vulnerable to postpartum FOC, especially after a complicated birth and referral.
Highlights
In most Western countries, most pregnant women choose to give birth in a hospital, even in the case of a low‐risk pregnancy
We found that women who were referred to an obstetrician had a higher degree of fear of childbirth (FOC) at T1 (P < .01), a smaller decrease in FOC measured at T2 (P < .05), and a higher degree of FOC measured at T2 (P < .01) than women not referred (Figure 3)
We found that women who initially preferred home birth but were referred to an obstetrician did not have a higher level of postpartum FOC than women being referred who initially preferred a hospital birth
Summary
In most Western countries, most pregnant women choose to give birth in a hospital, even in the case of a low‐risk pregnancy. In The Netherlands approximately half of all pregnant women, being low‐risk, are given the option of choosing either home birth or a hospital birth under the care of a midwife.[1] of all births, the percentage. In The Netherlands, women with low‐risk pregnancy are routinely given the option of home birth, providing a unique opportunity to study the relationship between fear of childbirth (FOC) and preference for childbirth location, and whether women experience higher FOC when the actual location differs from their preference. Results: At T1, women who preferred home birth had significantly lower FOC compared with women who preferred a hospital birth (mean ± SD W‐DEQ scores: 55 ± 19.8 and 64 ± 18.3, respectively, P < .01). Conclusions: Compared to women who prefer hospital birth, women who prefer home birth have lower prepartum and postpartum FOC. Whether giving birth at home or in the hospital, caregivers should pay extra attention to women with high FOC because they are vulnerable to postpartum FOC, especially after a complicated birth and referral
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
