Maternal fear associated with pregnancy and childbirth in Hong Kong Chinese women.
BACKGROUND
Women's fear toward pregnancy and childbirth is a common and important health concern. This study examined the objects, causes, and manifestations of maternal fears and their associated demographic factors in a sample of Hong Kong Chinese pregnant women.


METHODS
Three hundred Chinese pregnant women were recruited in an obstetric unit in Hong Kong in 2003. Data were collected using a 73-item questionnaire. Principal components factor analysis was applied to identify the objects, causes, and manifestations of fear toward pregnancy and childbirth.


RESULTS
The mean maternal age was 30 (SD 5.6) years. All participants reported some degree of fear. The main objects of fear were "fear of childbirth" and "child's and mother's wellbeing." The first factor identified for causes of fear was "negative stories," followed by "negative attitude or mood." Regarding the various manifestations of fear, "stress symptoms" and "wish to avoid pregnancy and childbirth" ranked highest. Twenty-two percent of participants had considered requesting an elective cesarean section due to fear of childbirth.


CONCLUSIONS
Even in a group of low-risk pregnant women, fear toward pregnancy and childbirth was frequently experienced. Better strategies to address women's psychological needs during pregnancy are warranted.
Tsui
Michelle H
MH
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong.
Pang
Man W
MW
Melender
Hanna-Leena
HL
Xu
L
L
Lau
Tze K
TK
Leung
Tse N
TN
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D048949:Labor Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009341:Negativism; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires