No abstract

Objective This review aims to identify non‐medical interventions that may reduce the fear of childbirth, directly or indirectly (through its factors). Methods This review followed the PRISMA guidance and a rigorous protocol that was registered in PROSPERO. Searches were done in ProQuest, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and Google Scholar. All RCTs published in the last 5 years, in English or Spanish, regarding women with a low‐risk pregnancy and without mental disorders were included. Results From 5147 articles found, only 69 were full‐text assessed. Finally, 18 studies were included suggesting that prenatal education, psychoeducation, and counseling might be effective, whereas cognitive‐behavioral therapy and some alternative therapies require more research. The results of relaxation techniques were contradictory. Results also suggest that social support and exposure (through education) might have an important role in the efficacy of interventions. Conclusions More appropriately randomized and blinded trials are necessary that use a prespecified definition of fear of childbirth and comprehensive measurement tools specific for pregnant women.

Cancer caregiving is associated with burden and a poor psychological state. However, there is no previous information about the predictive utility of specific burden domains on anxiety and depression in the first six months after a partner’s cancer diagnosis. In a longitudinal study, 67 caregivers completed the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at T1 (45–60 days after diagnosis) and T2 (180–200 days after diagnosis). Most of the caregivers were female (65.7%, mean age = 51.63, SD = 13.25), while patients were mostly male (56.7%). The TRIPOD checklist was applied. ZBI scores were moderate and HADS anxiety reached significant values. There were no differences in ZBI and HADS between T1 and T2. The relationship between burden, anxiety, and depression were more consistent at T2, while emotional burden at T1 were related and predicted anxiety and depression at T2. Some burden domains were related and predicted anxiety in caregivers in the first six months after partner cancer diagnosis. This information could be useful to prevent the onset of these symptoms in the first six months after diagnosis.