The effect of COVID-19 fear on prenatal distress and childbirth preference in primipara

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of COVID-19 fear on prenatal distress and childbirth preference in primipara. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 206 primipara women in Istanbul between June and December 2021. The data were collected with an information form, "The Fear of COVID-19 Scale" and "The Prenatal Distress Questionnaire." RESULTS: The median of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale was 14.00 (7-31) and the median of the Prenatal Distress Questionnaire was 10.00 (0-21). A statistically significant positive and weak correlation was found between "The Fear of COVID-19 Scale" and "The Prenatal Distress Questionnaire" (r=0.21; p=0.00). Overall, 75.2% of pregnant women preferred normal (vaginal) delivery. There was no statistically significant relationship between "The Fear of COVID-19 Scale" and childbirth preference (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: It was determined that fear of coronavirus increases prenatal distress. Women should be supported to cope with fear of COVID-19 and prenatal distress, both during the preconceptional and antenatal periods.

Premenstrual Syndrome and Childbirth Fear Prior to Pregnancy in Young Women: An Association and Cross-Sectional Study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the association between premenstrual syndrome and the childbirth fear prior to pregnancy. METHODS: This was an association and cross-sectional study conducted on 327 university students. Data were collected using "Participant Information Form," "Premenstrual Syndrome Scale," and "Childbirth Fear-Prior to Pregnancy Scale." RESULTS: It was found that the childbirth fear had increased in students with premenstrual syndrome. The Women Childbirth Fear-Prior to Pregnancy Scale score was statistically significantly higher among students who preferred caesarean section than those who preferred vaginal delivery. There was a weak, positive, and statistically significant correlation between the students' depressive sensation, anxiety, fatigue, nervousness, depressive thoughts, pain, appetite changes, sleep pattern changes, and bloating subscales of Premenstrual Syndrome Scale and Women Childbirth Fear-Prior to Pregnancy Scale. CONCLUSION: The score of the Women Childbirth Fear-Prior to Pregnancy Scale increases with an increase in the score of the Premenstrual Syndrome subscale. It should be evaluated whether or not women experiencing premenstrual syndrome have the childbirth fear prior to pregnancy.