Fear Of Childbirth Research Articles

The Relationship Between Midwifery Students’ Attitudes Towards Marriage and Birth Fears

Aim: This research was conducted to determine the relationship between midwifery students' attitudes towards marriage and their fear of birth. 
 Method: A cross-sectional and relation-seeking study was conducted with students from the Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, of two universities in eastern Turkey. In the study, all midwifery students studying at both universities were tried to be reached, rather than sampling. The study was completed with 372 midwifery students who participated in the study on a voluntary basis. The data of the study were collected with “Personal Information Form”, “Inonu Marriage Attitude Scale (IMAS)” and “Women Childbirth Fear – Prior to Pregnancy Scale (WCF-PPS)”. In the evaluation of the data, number, percentage distributions, mean, standard deviation, Independent t-test, One-Way Anova, Tukey and correlation tests were used in SPSS (25.0) statistical package program.
 Results: The mean age of the students was 20.71±1.55. 80.1% of the students have an immediate family, 54.3% live in the city center, 96.8% do not work, and 56.7% of them have income equal to their expenses. The total mean scores of the students from IMAS and WCF-PPS are respectively; 69.73±20.01 and 36.37±12.00. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between students' attitudes towards marriage and fear of birth (p

Fear, gratitude, and the normalization of obstetric violence in Cuban maternity hospitals

AbstractObstetric violence is endemic in Cuba, a highly medicalized society where the obstetrics institution is unquestioned and, in the afterlives of Atlantic slavery and US occupation and intervention, emotions of fear and gratitude work to normalize obstetric violence and control birthing bodies for the state. I draw on ethnographic observations, birth stories, and experiences as a patient to examine how birthing people, providers, and the Revolutionary state negotiate care and responsibility for health. I describe three fears: the fear of failure to protect maternal‐infant health (and its repercussions for clinicians and the state); the fear of physiological childbirth; and fears of inadequate or violent care. Obstetric violence in Cuba is structural. As birthing people shift between primary and tertiary healthcare infrastructures with distinct epistemologies of care, they exert ambiguous agency to domesticate the hostile space of the hospital, building relations of reciprocity and performing docility and compliance. Finally, I look at the gratitude expected of patients and the consequences of refusing to recognize healthcare as a “gift.” This contemporary account of obstetric violence in Cuba contributes to calls by abolition feminists to study the obstetric institution in order to refuse and dismantle it, building life‐affirming futures for maternity care worldwide.

Fear of childbirth and influencing factors of expectant fathers in China: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Fear of childbirth not only brings negative psychological experiences to expectant fathers and affect their ability to prepare for parenthood but can even affect children’s emotional and cognitive development. It is essential to identify men with a more severe fear of birth and its related risk factors for the better transition of fathers’ role. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of fear of childbirth among Chinese expectant fathers, identify its contributing factors and explore the association among fear of childbirth, resilience and dyadic coping. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the obstetric department of two tertiary hospitals in Wuhan, China. The socio-demographic questionnaire, the father’s version of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire version A (W-DEQ A), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 (CD-RISC), and the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI) were used to explore the correlation of fear of childbirth, resilience and dyadic coping of participants. Ultimately, a total of 1176 expectant fathers were included in this study. The prevalence of fear of childbirth was 32.1%. Gestational weeks of pregnant women, monthly income, adverse birth experience, gravidity and parity of pregnant women were considered risk factors for the expectant fathers with fear of childbirth. Furthermore, there was a weak negative correlation between fear of childbirth and resilience and dyadic coping. In conclusion, the prevalence of fear of childbirth in expectant fathers in China was high. Adequate identification of factors influencing the fear of childbirth among expectant fathers is necessary to reduce the fear of childbirth and to develop appropriate interventions in preparing fathers for their new parenting role

Validity and reliability of the Greek version of Wijma delivery expectancy/experience questionnaire (Version A) among low-risk pregnant women

BackgroundFear of childbirth is a frequent health issue for pregnant women. The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) is a widely used instrument to measure the fear of childbirth during the antenatal period. The aim of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of the W-DEQ (version A) in a sample of Greek pregnant women.MethodsLow-risk pregnant women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy (N = 201) were invited to participate in the study and to complete a booklet of questionnaires including the Greek versions of W-DEQ-A, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 34.2 years (SD = 4.3 years). EFA yielded six factors (“Lack of self-efficacy”, “Lack of positive anticipation”, “Lack of feeling lonely”, “Concerns about delivery and losing control”, “Calmness”, and “Concern for the child”) of 33 items of W-DEQ-A. CFA confirmed the multidimensionality of the instrument. All Cronbach’s alpha were over 0.7, indicating acceptable reliability of the factors. All factors were significantly correlated with each other, and convergent validity was demonstrated by a significant association with stress, anxiety, and depression among low-risk pregnant women.ConclusionThe Greek version of W-DEQ-A proved to be a valid and reliable instrument of fear of childbirth among Greek low-risk pregnant women.

Facilitating childbirth choice for positive postnatal mental health well-being among women: a Namibian case study.

Childbirth affects women in a myriad of ways including feelings of tiredness, being overwhelmed, stressed, and having baby blues, and if not attended to, this can lead to postpartum depression, which is a mental condition that can have disastrous effects. Childbirth can affect the mental and physical status of a woman and having supportive midwives who guide women by giving adequate information is an issue of critical concern for a positive birth experience. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has emphasised the need to facilitate childbirth choices for women as a means of having a safe and memorable experience as the experience in childbirth affects the psychological status of a woman. Some women may experience worry and anxiety during labour and childbirth, which may be exacerbated by bias and a lack of childbirth choice facilitation during pregnancy. A negative childbirth experience may lead to negative psychological distress and postpartum depression, which will interfere with the bond between the mother, baby, and family. Midwives, thus, need to understand the emotional aspects that are attached to childbirth and be able to facilitate and support the emotional as well as the psychosocial needs of women under their care. However, there is a dearth of empirical evidence within the Namibian context that can provide direction and context-specific solutions to the present challenge. The current study followed a qualitative research design with an exploratory approach with one-on-one interviews with 10 midwives who were purposively selected. The midwives' experiences in this study depicted their zeal towards the issue at hand; however, what stood out were some barriers in the facilitation of childbirth choices (theme 1) as they expressed the shortages of staff, the timing of information, information sharing, and cultural influences as some of their experiences in facilitating childbirth. Furthermore, midwives shared a lack of provision for childbirth choice (theme 2) as the rights of women were not observed, and a lack of women-centred care despite protocols and guidelines being there, and yet they are not adhered to. In conclusion, midwives as primary caregivers actively need to provide unbiased childbirth information to achieve positive postpartum health. Initiating childbirth choices early in pregnancy gives women the time to weigh options and clearing of any misconceptions relating to childbirth types as well as reducing anxiety and fear of birth, which could lead to postpartum depression and by extension, the mental well-being of the women. Facilitating childbirth choices is critical in positive birth experiences and the management of childbirth as well as crafting guidelines and policy formulation that ensure a mentally healthy woman and society.

Impact of Hypnotherapy on Fear, Pain, and the Birth Experience: A Systematic Review.

In recent times, research has been conducted on the use of hypnosis during childbirth preparation and its effects on pain, fear, and overall childbirth experience. The main objective of this study was to analyze the published scientific literature on the use of hypnotherapy during childbirth preparation and the outcomes achieved during labor. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, with a search performed on the PubMed, Cinahl, Scopus, and WOS databases. Studies meeting inclusion criteria, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), were evaluated for methodological quality using the PEDro scale. The searches yielded a total of 84 results, from which 7 RCTs of high scientific quality were selected. Each article examined the impact of a hypnosis intervention during pregnancy and the results obtained during labor. The analysis covered the use of epidural anesthesia, pharmacological analgesia during labor, self-reported pain, labor duration, type of delivery, fear of childbirth, and childbirth experience. The results demonstrated benefits in reducing fear and pain during labor, along with an enhancement in the overall childbirth experience. Hypnotherapy can be a valuable resource for reducing fear and pain during labor and improving the lived childbirth experience.

Pelvic Pain and Sexual Function in Primiparous Pregnant Women with and without High/Severe Fear of Childbirth

Abstract Introduction This study aimed to determine pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction in primiparous pregnant women with varying levels of fear of childbirth (FOC). Methods This is a descriptive correlational study. This study was conducted with 400 pregnant women at 24–40 weeks of gestation who applied to the obstetrics polyclinic of a hospital between January 2022 and March 2022. Data were collected through a personal information form, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ-A), the Pelvic Pain Impact Questionnaire (PPIQ), and Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) Female Form. Results Of the 400 pregnant women, 232 (58%) had high/severe FOC. High/severe FOC was a risk factor that negatively affected pelvic pain and sexual function (frequency of sexual intercourse, communication, sexual satisfaction, avoidance, touching, vaginismus, and anorgasmia) in pregnant women (p < 0.000). In addition, pregnant women with high/severe FOC avoided vaginal examination (p = 0.016), had higher fear of vaginal examination (p = 0.004), experienced more pain or burning during sexual intercourse (p = 0.017), and had more fear of pain during sexual intercourse (p = 0.003). Conclusions High/severe FOC during pregnancy is an important risk factor that negatively affects pelvic pain and sexual function. Policy Implications Identifying pregnant women with high/severe FOC and support programs such as antenatal education programs or cognitive coping strategies to cope with FOC may be useful in preventing pelvic pain and sexual functions that may be negatively affected.

Examining the Challenges of Using Accompanying Midwife from the Perspective of Midwives and Pregnant Women Referring to Hospitals in Shahrekord

Background: The presence of accompanying midwives (doulas) in the delivery room always entails many challenges. This study was carried out to determine the challenges of attendance with training from the point of view of midwives and expectant mothers in selected hospitals of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran
 Methods: The present study was a descriptive study on 70 midwives working in the delivery block, 120 pregnant mothers, and 20 trained attendants. The sampling of midwives and doulas was performed using the census method, and the sampling of pregnant mothers was conducted using the convenience method. The study tool included questionnaires made by the researcher about demographics and socioeconomics, therapeutics, and psychological challenges for the group of mothers and midwives. The face validity and content validity of the questionnaires were confirmed by midwifery professors and reproductive health specialists, and their reliability was confirmed by internal consistency. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS software (version 21).
 Results: In this study, 70 midwives working in selected hospitals of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, 120 pregnant mothers, and 20 trained attendants were examined. Most of the pregnant women (n = 39, 32.5%) mentioned that the most important motivation for requesting a doula during pregnancy and labor was to overcome the fear of childbirth. Most of them (n = 101, 84.9%) also stated that they used doula services at the right time. Meanwhile, 54 women (45%) were familiar with doula services during pregnancy, and most of them (n = 67, 56.3%) stated that doula services can be useful and effective in all three stages of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
 Conclusions: There are dissatisfactions and challenges regarding the support of doulas during pregnancy and childbirth. Therefore, it is recommended to provide the necessary training to healthcare providers, especially obstetricians, midwives, and mothers, regarding the importance and place of doula’s supportive care in this era. Additionally, doula activities should be integrated and promoted in the care of the health team

Predictive Power of Self-Efficacy on the Fear of Childbirth in Pregnant Women: Underlying Mechanisms of Social Support as a Mediator and the COVID-19 Fear as a Moderator.

Fear of childbirth (FOC) is a common problem associated with psycho-social factors in pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the mediator of social support and the moderator role of fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the relationship between self-efficacy and FOC in pregnant women. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 422 pregnant women registered in 18 family health centers. Data were collected with the introductory information form, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire-A, the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Fear of COVID19 Scale. The SPSS 22 package program and Hayes's process macro 3.2 were used in the analysis of the data. Findings showed that 19.9% of the pregnant women experienced severe FOC. Self-efficacy and social support negatively predicted FOC, while fear of COVID-19 predicted it positively. Perceived social support moderately mediated the relationship between FOC and self-efficacy. Fear of COVID-19 was found to be a marginally effective moderator in the relationship between self-efficacy and FOC. This indicates that as self-efficacy increases in pregnant women with low fear of COVID-19, the FOC is experienced less. In the relationship between self-efficacy and FOC, social support is a key factor in reducing FOC. To reduce the FOC, the social support of pregnant women should be strengthened, and the fear associated with acute crisis periods such as pandemics should be reduced with some preventive measures.

FEAR OF PREGNANCY AND BIRTH

This study aimed to examine the relationship between internet use and fear of childbirth in pregnant women. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 385 pregnant women who were referred to a hospital in Turkey. Data were collected using a personal information form and the Women Childbirth Fear – Prior to Pregnancy Scale (WCF-PPS). The WCF-PPS total mean score of the pregnant women was 38.04±10.49 (17-60) and there was a weakly significant positive correlation between their WCF-PPS total score and duration of daily internet use. In addition, there was a statistically significant relationship between their WCF-PPS total mean score, the issues searched on the Internet about pregnancy/childbirth, the status of believing in the accuracy of the information they obtained on the Internet, the status of confirming this information by health professionals, and the status of having concerns about this information (p

Postpartum Depression During the Fourth Wave of the Pandemic and Related Factors

Aims: Many studies have shown the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on postpartum depression (PPD) as a stressor. In addition, there have been many changes in the pandemic process, such as vaccination and removal of restrictions. However, few studies have been conducted on the psychological effects of changing conditions. In this study, we aimed to examine the frequency of PPD and the associated sociodemographic–obstetric factors in mothers who gave birth or were in the last pregnancy period in the fourth wave of the pandemic.
 Methods: This cross-sectional study included 211 women who underwent a postpartum checkup between December 2021 and August 2022. All women had given birth or passed the last part of their pregnancy in the fourth wave of the pandemic. PPD was measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). In addition, the authors assessed sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics with a form.
 Results: The prevalence of PPD was 22.7% (EPDS cut-off score ≥ 13). EPDS scores were higher in those with inadequate social support, fear of childbirth, or having a past psychiatric illness.
 Conclusions: In the late pandemic, the negative effect on PPD does not seem to continue. However, PPD remains a significant public health problem in Turkey. In addition, some sociodemographic characteristics associated with PPD continue to pose risks.

Narrative Review of the Effect of Endorphin Massage and Oxytocin Massage on Pain Intensity in Maternity Women

Background: Childbirth is the effort or process of expelling a full-term baby which is often accompanied by pain caused by contractions in the uterus. From the research results, it was found that 32% of 300 women who gave birth during the active phase experienced severe pain, 57% moderate pain, and 11% mild pain. Evidence shows that fear of vaginal childbirth and anxiety experienced by many women during their pregnancy. Therefore, it then led to their decision to choose other methods of birth such as Section Caesarea (SC). The effects of anxiety during labor could potentially result in excessive levels of catecholamines causing decreased blood flow to the uterus, decreased uterine contractions, decreased blood flow to the placenta, decreased oxygen available to the fetus, and can increase the length of labor. One of alternative methods of dealing with pain during the labor process is using non-pharmacological such as endorphin massage and oxytocin massage. Purpose: The aim of this literature study was to present information about the effect of endorphin massage and oxytocin massage on the intensity of pain among mothers giving birth. Methods: This research method was a literature review study. Journal searches were carried out by applying online database such as ScienceDirect, Google scholar, Pubmed, Scopus, Portal Garuda. Articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Result: The study investigated the influence of endorphin and oxytocin massages on pain intensity in maternity mothers during childbirth, revealing a significant reduction in pain levels following the administration of these massages. Both endorphin and oxytocin massages were found to alleviate pain, induce relaxation, and promote feelings of comfort and calmness, thereby facilitating a smoother birth process. Conclusion: The influence of endorphin massage and oxytocin massage is useful in reducing pain in maternity mothers

Tokophobia: Psychopathology and Diagnostic Consideration of Ten Cases.

Tokophobia is regarded as the intensive fear of childbirth that some pregnant women have. However, little is known about the psychopathological details of tokophobia (fear of childbirth). Between 2020 and 2021, a total of 10 pregnant women (nine nulliparae and one multipara) with a strong fear of childbirth were referred by obstetricians. Semi-structured psychopathological interviews were conducted, and two cases were judged to have obsession, three an overvalued idea, and one secondary delusion. Three were characterised by both obsession and overvalued idea and one by both obsession and secondary delusion. In total, six cases had features of an overvalued idea. All of the participants except one had a lifetime history of a specific phobia. In addition, their history included social phobia in two cases, panic disorder in one case, obsessive-compulsive disorder (other than tokophobia) in two cases, depressive disorder in two cases, bipolar disorder in two cases, and PTSD in six cases. To conclude, this study showed that tokophobia was not a phobic disorder but a kind of overvalued idea that requires specific assessment and treatment.

A cluster analysis of reasons behind fear of birth among women in Sweden.

Fear of birth is common and complex, caused by a variety of reasons. The aim was to investigate the prevalence of pre-established reasons in relation to fear, and to identify profiles of women based on their reported reasons behind fear of birth. A cross-sectional Swedish study of women with self-reported fear of birth who completed an online survey. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used in the analysis of pre-established reasons in relation to self-reported severe fear. A Kappa-means cluster analysis was performed in order to group reasons, that were further investigated in relation to women's background variables. A total of 1419 women completed the survey. The strongest reason behind fear of birth was to be forced to give birth vaginally. Four clusters were identified and labeled: minor complexity (reference group), relative minor complexity, relative major complexity, and major complexity. Cesarean section preference, previous mental health problems, being younger, primiparity, and exposure to domestic violence were factors related to cluster grouping. Women with fear of birth have various reasons and diverse complexities behind their fear. Health care providers need to investigate these reasons and support pregnant women with childbirth fear, based on their needs.

Childbirth Self-Efficacy and Its Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia, 2023: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Childbirth self-efficacy is a pregnant women's perception of their ability to cope with labor stress. Low childbirth self-efficacy is linked to pain intolerance and poor labor progression, which increase the possibility of operative delivery. However, Ethiopia has limited data. So, the aim of this study was to assess childbirth self-efficacy and its factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health facilities in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia, in 2023. To assess childbirth self-efficacy and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health facilities in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia, in 2023. An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 416 women from January 1 to January 30, 2023. A systematic random sampling technique was employed. Data were collected by KoboToolbox through face-to-face interviews using a structured and pretested questionnaire. Modified short-form childbirth self-efficacy inventory was used to score self-efficacy. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 27, was used for data management and analysis. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each variable, and a logistic model was used. Statistical significance was determined at a p value of less than 0.05 and 95% confidence level. A total of 416 pregnant women participated in the study. Two hundred twenty-eight (54.8%) of the pregnant women had low childbirth self-efficacy. Age group in ≤24 years (AOR = 3.80, 95% CI: 1.82-8), primigravida (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.10-2.86), unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.02-2.70), poor social support (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.09-4.30), having anxiety (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.10-3.64), having poor knowledge of childbirth (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 2.09-5.39), and severe fear of childbirth (AOR = 6.40, 95% CI: 2.60-9.80) were statistically significant with low childbirth self-efficacy. The magnitude of low childbirth self-efficacy was high in the study area. Being primigravida, unplanned pregnancy, age ≤ 24 years, severe fear of childbirth, anxiety, poor social support, and poor knowledge were significantly associated with low childbirth self-efficacy. Therefore, giving special attention to these factors during antenatal care would be important.

Are 6 more accurate than 4? The influence of different modes of delivery on postpartum depression and PTSD

BackgroundEmpirical evidence shows that 4.6–6.3% of all women develop a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and approximately 10–15% postpartum depression (PPD) following childbirth. This study explores the relationship between delivery mode and the occurrence of PTSD and PPD, specifically examining four distinct caesarean section (CS) modes: primary on maternal request (Grade 4), medically indicated primary (Grade 3), secondary CS from relative indication (Grade 2) and emergency secondary CS (Grade 1), compared to vaginal and assisted vaginal delivery (AVD). The research aims to understand how these six subcategories of delivery modes impact PPD and PTSD levels. Common predictors, including the need for psychological treatment before childbirth, fear of childbirth, planning of pregnancy, induction of labor, birth debriefing, and lack of social support after childbirth, will be analyzed to determine their association with postpartum mental health outcomes.MethodsThe study was planned and carried out by a research team of the psychology department at the Medical School Hamburg, Germany. Within an online-study (cross-sectional design) N = 1223 German speaking women with a baby who did not die before, during or after birth were surveyed once between four weeks and twelve months postpartum via an anonymous online questionnaire on demographic and gynecological data, delivery mode, PTSD (PCL-5) and PPD (EPDS).ResultsFor both psychiatric disorders, ANOVA revealed significant differences between delivery mode and PPD and PTSD. With weak effects for PPD and medium to strong effects for PTSD. Post-hoc tests showed increased levels of PPD for two CS types (Grade 1, Grade 3) compared to vaginal delivery. For PTSD, secondary CS from relative indication (Grade 2), emergency secondary CS (Grade 1) and assisted vaginal delivery (AVD) were associated with elevated levels of PTSD. Regression analysis revealed delivery mode as a significant predictor of EPDS- (medium effect size) and PCL-5-Score (medium to high effect size).LimitationDelivery was considered as the potential traumatic event, and any previous traumas were not documented. Additionally, the categorization of delivery modes relied on subjective reports rather than medical confirmation.ConclusionThe study highlights the influence of delivery mode on the mental health of postpartum mothers: different modes influence postpartum disorders in various ways. However, the definition of delivery mode was only stated subjectively and not medically confirmed. Further research should investigate which aspects of the different delivery modes affect maternal mental health and explore how the perception of childbirth may be influenced by specific delivery experiences.

Fear of Childbirth and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Predictors of Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Among Turkish Pregnant Women

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the fear of childbirth (FOC) and prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy, the factors affecting them, and the factors that predict breastfeeding self-efficacy among Turkish pregnant women. Methods: The research was of a descriptive and cross-sectional type. The study was conducted with 228 pregnant women who came to the obstetrics outpatients’ department at 28-40 weeks of gestation. Data were collected using an Individual Description Form, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Scale (W-DEQ), and the Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (PBSES). Results: The mean age of the pregnant women was 28.09±4.29. The W-DEQ scores of the pregnant women were 66.50±11.38, and their PBSES scores were 63.71±4.43. More than half of the pregnant women (59.1%) experienced severe and clinical FOC. Prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy was significantly lower in pregnant women with severe and clinical FOC compared with those with mild and moderate FOC (p<0.001). There was a very low level negative correlation between FOC and PBSES (r= -0.277, p<0.001). W-DEQ, education level, duration of marriage, feeling about pregnancy and duration of breastfeeding were determined as predictors of PBSES (p<0.05, R2:0.472). Conclusion: It was found that the majority of pregnant women experienced levels of severe and clinical FOC and their prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy perceptions were moderate. Health professionals should provide education and counseling to pregnant women to reduce the fear of childbirth experienced by pregnant women and to improve their prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy. In this way, mother-child health will be protected both during pregnancy and in the postnatal period.

Internal Structure of the Brazilian Online Version of the Childbirth Fear Prior to Pregnancy Scale

Background Approximately 80% of pregnant women have some degree of childbirth fear, which can have short- and long-term negative effects when not correctly identified and managed. Therefore, it is essential to assess childbirth fear to measure and identify factors related to this fear. Furthermore, it is crucial to develop appropriate and early interventions to improve the childbirth experience for women and their families, including the obstetric care provided. Objective This study aimed to assess the validity of the internal structure of the Brazilian online version of the Childbirth Fear Prior to Pregnancy (CFPP) scale. Methods This methodological study was conducted to assess the validity of the internal structure of the Brazilian online version of the CFPP scale. A total of 553 men and women aged 18 or older participated in the study. The participants were not pregnant at the time of data collection but intended to have children in the future. A combination of Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses were used for statistical analysis. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha and McDonald’s Omega indicators. The Research Ethics Committee approved the study (protocol no: 4.961.821.) Results The psychometric parameters indicated a unidimensional model with adequate factor loadings (0.47–0.73) and reliability (0.86). Goodness of fit was achieved (χ2/df = 1.5, NNFI = 0.97, CFI = 0.98, GFI = 0.98, and SRMR = 0.06). Conclusion The Brazilian online version of the CFPP scale showed evidence of internal structural validity and reliability for measuring the construct in the population of this country.

EFFECTS OF PRENATAL YOGA ON THE ANXIETY OF PREGNANT WOMEN BEFORE BIRTH

Background: Anxiety in the last trimester of pregnancy will be different from anxiety in the previous trimester. Stress during pregnancy will affect the growth and development of the fetus. Anxiety is three times more likely to increase fear of childbirth and 1.7 times more likely to require a cesarean section. Stress during pregnancy can be reduced by exercising. One of the recommended sports is prenatal yoga. Practicing prenatal yoga during pregnancy is more effective in reducing stress and depression. Because in yoga, in addition to practicing, pregnant women also receive positive affirmations so that they can respond to physical changes during pregnancy and childbirth. to determine the effect of pregnancy yoga on the anxiety of pregnant women before birth. Method: A study uses a quasi-experimental design to examine the impact and effectiveness of treatment. The design of this study uses groups of subjects. Observations will be made before and after treatment. The sample for this study was pregnant women between 14 and 40 weeks of gestation. The instrument used to measure anxiety levels is the standard Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale questionnaire (HARS). This research was carried out in the working area of ​Puskesmas Ngletih, Kediri Regency. The study population included all pregnant women who attended a yoga class for pregnant women at Puskesmas Ngletih Workspace, Kediri Regency, for a total of 12 people. Result: The results of a study conducted at Ngletih Community Health Center, Kediri Town, in 2023. Result : Practicing gentle yoga before giving birth has an effect on pregnant women's anxiety about labor, with a p value of <0.001 (p <0.05).Conclusion : It is hoped that all pregnant women with a gestational age of 14–40 weeks can do prenatal yoga.

Effect of Peanut Ball Exercise on Fear of Labour among Primigravida Mother

Background: Fear of giving birth is the primary factor that has reduced the preference for natural birth. Thesudden rise in the percentage of C-sections has harmed women’s pregnancy and new-born health.Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of peanut ball exercise on reducing fear among primigravida mothers.Materials and Methods: Thirty participants were randomly assigned to experimental (peanut ball exercise,antenatal exercise, antenatal education) and conventional (Antenatal exercises) groups. The fear of childbirthquestionnaire (FCQ) was used to evaluate the pre-test the same test used to determine post-treatment values after12 weeks of the treatment.Results: A significant difference was observed between the experimental and control groups (P =0.0001). peanutball exercise and antenatal education were effective in mothers with a fear of childbirth.Conclusion: Peanut ball training is effective in mothers with a fear of childbirth.