Swedish midwives' perceptions of fear of childbirth.
OBJECTIVE
to describe midwives' experiences with, and perceptions of, women with fear of childbirth.


METHODS
a qualitative study with a phenomenographic approach. Data were collected by means of interviews in focus groups.


METHODS
four focus groups at four types of hospital in Southern Sweden over a period of 18 months, 2004-2006.


METHODS
21 experienced midwives.


RESULTS
four description categories emerged, i.e. appearance of fear of childbirth, origins of fear of childbirth, consequences of fear of childbirth, and fear of childbirth and midwifery care.


CONCLUSIONS
fear of childbirth is seen as a continuum from normal to irrational, severe fear. It has various origins which are more or less difficult to operationalise. Fear of childbirth influences the experience of pregnancy, the labour process and the transition to parenthood. Midwifery care of women with fear of childbirth is emotionally demanding and time consuming. Aspects of care required early identification of women with fear of childbirth, individual care, preparation for giving birth, support of a companion during labour, and postpartum follow-up.
Salomonsson
Birgitta
B
Unit of Health Psychology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. birsa@imv.liu.se
Wijma
Klaas
K
Alehagen
Siw
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden