Fear of childbirth during pregnancy -: Ongoing observational study

Purpose: In 20th century western industrial society perinatal morbidity and mortality of mother and neonate have become ex- NEW_ EM.tremely rare. Labor pains can be effectively managed using modern anesthesia - especially epidural anesthesia - and alternative medicine. This work pursues the question of which kind of childbirth fears today's pregnant women still have, despite all wellknown medical progress. The quantity and quality of childbirth-related fear will be examined and compared between primi, secundi and multiparous women. Material and Methods: In a prospective study carried out at the Women's Clinic in Frauenfeld/ Switzerland from the 1 st of November 1991 until the 31 st of October 2004, we collected and compared data on the type and intensity of childbirth fears in 13362 pregnant women. Usually between 24th and 28th gestational week the pregnant women are sent a prenatal questionnaire. Results: With increasing parity the answer "no fear" increases and "some fear" decreases. For the entire group of pregnant women 6% admit to having "intense fear". The most frequent fears mentioned are fear for the child's health (59.7 %) and fear of pain (50.3 %). Fears dealing with medical intervention, such as operative delivery or anesthesia, and fear of being at the mercy of obstetrics all lie between 17% and 20%. Conclusion: Even in the era of modern, safe and natural obstetrics, today's pregnant women still have birth fears. The possible benefit of birth preparation classes could not be established.