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The fear of childbirth: a study in the north of Portugal

dc.contributor.authorPrata, Ana Paula
dc.contributor.authorSantos, Célia
dc.contributor.authorSantos, Margarida Reis
dc.date.accessioned2024-03-13T11:22:04Z
dc.date.available2024-03-13T11:22:04Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.description.abstractChildbirth is a universal phenomenon and a meaningful experience that has the potential to trigger developmental transitions, stress, anxiety and/or fear, which, at times, can negatively impact future childbirth experiences. An exploratory and descriptive study was conducted aiming to identify the levels of fear experienced by pregnant women associated with childbirth and their main causes. A convenience sample was selected. Data collection were carried out in an outpatient obstetric hospital in the northern region of Portugal, between July 2010 and July 2012. To evaluate the intensity of fear of childbirth a visual analogic scale of 10 points was applied. Interviews were conducted in order to identify the main causes of fear. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Regarding the level of fear, the majority (98%) of pregnant women had fear of childbirth, 60.2% reported moderate fear and 28% intense fear. Anxiety, primiparity and lack of knowledge related to birthing were also found to increase the fear of childbirth. Some of the main causes of fear identified were: complications during childbirth; pain/suffering; not knowing how to cope with pain; not able to give birth; baby with malformation/disease and/or suffering. Most women feel moderate or intense fear of childbirth and this is associated to well identified causes with high impact on the woman and family. To minimize the effects of fear, an early intervention has to be considered, including childbirth education classes where nurses can address and work women’s fear in order to minimize it and promote a more positive experience.pt_PT
dc.description.versioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionpt_PT
dc.identifier.doi10.15405/epsbs.2016.07.02.4pt_PT
dc.identifier.isbn9781802960129
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/44260
dc.identifier.wos000391144000004
dc.language.isoengpt_PT
dc.peerreviewedyespt_PT
dc.publisherFuture Academypt_PT
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/pt_PT
dc.subjectChildbirthpt_PT
dc.subjectFearpt_PT
dc.subjectNursespt_PT
dc.subjectPregnant womenpt_PT
dc.titleThe fear of childbirth: a study in the north of Portugalpt_PT
dc.typebook part
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.endPage50pt_PT
oaire.citation.issue1pt_PT
oaire.citation.startPage42pt_PT
oaire.citation.title2nd International Conference On Health And Health Psychologypt_PT
oaire.citation.volume13pt_PT
rcaap.rightsopenAccesspt_PT
rcaap.typebookPartpt_PT

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