Open AccessThe effects of counseling on fear of childbirth
Author(s) -
Larsson Birgitta,
Karlström Annika,
Rubertsson Christine,
Hildingsson Ingegerd
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.12634
Subject(s) - childbirth , medicine , odds ratio , pregnancy , obstetrics , confidence interval , genetics , pathology , biology
Objective To investigate women's experiences of attending existing counseling programs for childbirth‐related fear and the effect of this counseling over time. Design A longitudinal survey. Setting Three hospitals in the central north of Sweden. Sample A selected sample of 936 women. Of these, 70 received counseling due to fear of childbirth (study‐group). Methods Data were collected with questionnaires 2 months and 1 year after giving birth with background data collected during midpregnancy. Comparisons were made between women with or without counseling. Crude and adjusted odds ratios ( OR ) were calculated. Main outcome measures Self‐reported childbirth fear, experience of counseling, birth experience and preferred mode of birth. Results Women in the counseling group reported higher childbirth fear 1 year after giving birth ( OR 5.0, 95% confidence interval (95% CI ) 2.6–9.3), they had a more negative birth experience that did not change over time ( OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.9) and they preferred cesarean section to a greater extent ( OR 12.0, 95% CI 5.1–28.1) in the case of another birth. Also, they were more often delivered by planned cesarean section ( OR 4.7, 95% CI 2.4–9.1). However, 80% were satisfied with the given support. Conclusion Although women were satisfied with the treatment, this study shows that counseling had a minor effect on fear of childbirth, birth experiences or cesarean section rates. To help women with their fear of childbirth, more effective methods of treatment are needed.