title: Fear of childbirth and history of abuse: implications for pregnancy and delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of fear of childbirth, and to find possible associations to selected sociodemographic factors and important life events. A secondary aim was to explore the relationship between these factors and pregnancy outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire booklets were sent to 2680 women at 18 weeks of gestation, of whom 1452 women (54%) responded. The questionnaire included background factors (marital status, education, history of abuse, current pregnancy), W-DEQ (measurement of fear of childbirth), and STAI (measurement of subjective anxiety). Pregnancy outcome information was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of serious fear of childbirth (W-DEQ > 100) was 5.5%. The W-DEQ and STAI scores were positively correlated (r = 0.44, p < 0.001). Among the anxious women, a trend towards more frequent operative vaginal delivery (12.1% versus 6.9%, p = 0.07) was noted, but not for emergency cesarean section (10.6% versus 7.6%, p = 0.34). Women who reported being exposed to physical or sexual abuse in childhood had a higher W-DEQ score (71, SD 31 and 69, SD 27) than did the non-abused (61, SD 23, p < 0.01). Only half of women sexually or physically abused in childhood (54% and 57% respectively) had uncomplicated vaginal delivery at term versus 75% among non-abused (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of serious fear of childbirth was 5.5%. Fear of childbirth was not associated with mode of delivery, whereas sexual or physical abuse in childhood influenced negatively mode of delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. runa.heimstad@ntnu.no
authors.forename: Runa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heimstad
authors.forename: Raija
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dahloe
authors.forename: Ingebjorg
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Laache
authors.forename: Eirik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Skogvoll
authors.forename: Berit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors