The Relationship Between Physical Activity Level and Fear of Childbirth (Tokophobia) in Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between physical activity level and tokophobia in pregnant women. Materials and Methods: 81 healthy pregnant women on 14-40 weeks of gestation were included in the study. The participant’s physical activity levels were measured using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ), and their tokophobia was evaluated using the WIJMA Delivery Expectation/Experience Scale (W-DEQ). The W-DEQ results are divided into four subgroups: low fear of childbirth (W-DEQ score ≤ 37) moderate fear of childbirth (W-DEQ score between 38 and 65) severe fear of childbirth (W-DEQ score 66 -84) and clinical fear of childbirth (W-DEQ score ≥ 85). Results: We found a low level of tokophobia in participants (W-DEQ 3.57±36.19). Low-intensity physical activity decreased in the third trimester (78.82±40.88 MET-min/week) compared to the second trimester (120.10±54.80 MET-min/week) (p=0.001). Housework/care activities decreased in the third trimester (105.81±56.09 MET-min/week) compared to the second trimester (162.08±98.08 MET-min/week) (p=0.023). Low-tokophobia pregnant women (141.54 MET-min/week) were more active than moderate-tokophobia pregnant women (73.01MET-min/week) (p=0.026). There was a moderately strong negative correlation between the total W-DEQ score and the total PPAQ score (r=-0.431; p