Open AccessTocophobia experience and its impact on birth choices among Nigerian women: a qualitative exploratory study
Author(s) -
Deborah Tolulope Esan,
Oluwaremilekun Christiana Thomas,
Opeyemi Adeniyi Adedeji,
Agatha Ogunkorode,
Isaiah Dada Owoeye
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the pan african medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.287
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 1937-8688
DOI - 10.11604/pamj.2021.39.282.27229
Subject(s) - medicine , childbirth , thematic analysis , qualitative research , feeling , exploratory research , anxiety , pregnancy , nonprobability sampling , obstetrics , family medicine , nursing , population , psychiatry , psychology , social psychology , social science , genetics , environmental health , sociology , anthropology , biology
while pregnancy is a very beautiful and memorable experience for most women, some women may experience apathy towards childbirth and have feelings of fear and anxiety (tocophobia). Tocophobia can be far reaching with adverse physiologic and emotional consequences for mothers, infants and families. This study therefore explored tocophobia experiences among primigravid women and explored its influence on birth choices among antenatal women. Methods the study employed a qualitative exploratory research design. Participants who were primigravida (women who had never experienced childbirth), were selected using purposive sampling technique on antenatal clinic days. Data was obtained using semi-structured interview questions. Data was analyzed using content analysis approach and thematic categorization. Results results showed that few of the women experienced tocophobia and these fears were not strong enough to make them opt for caesarian section. Reasons attributed to tocophobia experience among the participants included “horror stories” told in the neighborhood, “past experiences” of close acquaintance and “entertainment videos” broadcast. Furthermore, all the participants preferred to have vaginal delivery. Conclusion few of the primigravid women in Ekiti State, Nigeria, experience tocophobia and this experience does not influence their choice of delivery option, as all participant´s preferred vaginal delivery to caesarian section. It is important for midwives to be aware of their role in counselling and identifying women with tocophobia in order to promote good and safe transition from pregnancy to motherhood.