The relationship between fear of birth and prenatal attachment and childbirth self-efficacy perception in Primigravida women

Abstract

Background Fear of childbirth is a common psychological problem. This fear negatively affects prenatal attachment, childbirth-related self-efficacy, the postpartum period, parenting development and women's health. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between fear of birth and prenatal attachment and childbirth self-efficacy perception in primigravid women. Methods A descriptive and correlational design was used. The study was conducted with 255 primigravida women who applied to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Polyclinic of a hospital in the Marmara Region of T & uuml;rkiye between December 2021 and October 2022 and agreed to participate in the study. The study data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version A (W-DEQ-A), Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), and Self-Efficacy regarding Vaginal Birth Scale (SEVB). Descriptive, comparative, and linear regression analyses were performed. Results The mean age of the participants was 27.29 +/- 6.82. The mean score of primigravida women in total W-DEQ-A was 58.45 +/- 22.59, the mean score in total PAI was 65.05 +/- 10.83, and the mean score in total SEVB was 64.55 +/- 14.10. It was observed that as the fear of birth increased in primigravida women, their prenatal attachment (r=-0.369, p < 0.001) and childbirth self-efficacy perception (r=-0.473, p < 0.001) levels decreased. There was a significant relationship between W-DEQ-A and PBI and SEVB scores, which explained 25% (R-2 = 0.254) of the variance (p < 0.001). Conclusion The study found that fear of childbirth was high in primigravida women who were not working, planned to have a cesarean section, and were not ready to give birth. It was determined that this fear affected prenatal attachment and vaginal birth self-efficacy. Health professionals should be screen primigravida women for fear of childbirth and be aware that fear of childbirth negatively affects prenatal attachment and vaginal birth self-efficacy.