Sources of women's fear and anxiety during parturition

ABSTRACT

This is an exploratory descriptive study that aimed to identify the sources of women's fear and anxiety during parturition. A specially designed interview schedule was used to collect data from 300 primiparas. This tool was administered during the second day of postpartum period. The results revealed that the common sources of fear and anxiety among primiparae during parturition were labor pains [74.7%], maternal death [62.3%], invasive procedures like pelvic examination [59%], newborn death [51.3%], maternal exposure [43%], labor and delivery room temperature [38.7%], type of delivery [38%], unwanted baby sex [35.3%] and congenital anomalies [34%]. Loss of control [32.7%], disturbances by other parturients as screams [32%], noisy environment [31%], catheterisation [30.7%], inadequate instructions from attendants [30.7%], duration of childbirth [30.3%], unidentifiable sources [28%], early rupture of membranes [25.7% and loneliness in the sense of lack of emotional support were also common sources of fear and anxiety among primiparae during parturition. This indicates that fear and anxiety over childbirth is related fundamental human feelings, which should be considered by the maternity nurse to help laboring women to feel in control