A systematic review of nonpharmacological prenatal interventions for pregnancy‐specific anxiety and fear of childbirth

Stoll, Kathrin; Swift, Emma; Fairbrother, Nichole; Nethery, Elizabeth; Janssen, Patricia A.

doi:10.1111/birt.12316

Cited by 81 publications

(80 citation statements)

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“…Different forms of interventions have shown positive results on women's fear (Stoll et al, 2018), but there is no consensus on the best recommended treatment. According to the results of this metasynthesis, it seems important to offer maternity care that can meet the women's existential issues allowing them to express and integrate their negative, as well as positive, experiences, feelings and expectations (Larsson, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although agreement on the best treatment for women with fear of childbirth has not yet been achieved, the available evidence demonstrates CONTACT Helena Wigert, helena.wigert@gu.se, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Box 457, SE-405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden promising effects of some treatments on women's fear and their experiences around birth. The number of randomized controlled trials (RCT) conducted on different prenatal interventions for fear of childbirth (Nieminen et al, 2017;Stoll, Swift Emma, Fairbrother, Nethery, & Janssen, 2018) is limited. However, some interventions have confirmed positive effects on women's fear (Stoll et al, 2018) as different kinds of counselling focused on women's fear and previous distressing birth experiences Saisto, Salmela-Aro, Nurmi, Könönen, & Halmesmäki, 2001;, prenatal childbirth education (Haapio, Kaunonen, Arffman, & Åstedt-Kurki, 2017;Serçekuş & Başkale, 2016), and yoga (Newham, Wittkowski, Hurley, Aplin, & Westwood, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The number of randomized controlled trials (RCT) conducted on different prenatal interventions for fear of childbirth (Nieminen et al, 2017;Stoll, Swift Emma, Fairbrother, Nethery, & Janssen, 2018) is limited. However, some interventions have confirmed positive effects on women's fear (Stoll et al, 2018) as different kinds of counselling focused on women's fear and previous distressing birth experiences Saisto, Salmela-Aro, Nurmi, Könönen, & Halmesmäki, 2001;, prenatal childbirth education (Haapio, Kaunonen, Arffman, & Åstedt-Kurki, 2017;Serçekuş & Başkale, 2016), and yoga (Newham, Wittkowski, Hurley, Aplin, & Westwood, 2014). Moreover, other benefits of interventions for women are a reduction in overall CS rates, and vaginal birth as a more frequent first choice in their following pregnancy (Fenwick, Toohill, Creedy, Smith, & Gamble, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Women’s experiences of fear of childbirth: a metasynthesis of qualitative studies

Wigert

Nilsson

Dencker

et al. 2019

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well

112

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Purpose: Women's experiences of pregnancy, labour and birth are for some pregnant women negative and they develop a fear of childbirth, which can have consequences for their wellbeing and health. The aim was to synthesize qualitative literature to deepen the understanding of women's experiences of fear of childbirth. Methods: A systematic literature search and a meta-synthesis that included 14 qualitative papers. Results: The main results demonstrate a deepened understanding of women's experiences of fear of childbirth interpreted through the metaphor "being at a point of no return". Being at this point meant that the women thought there was no turning back from their situation, further described in the three themes: To suffer consequences from traumatic births, To lack warranty and understanding, and To face the fear. Conclusions: Women with fear of childbirth are need of support that can meet their existential issues about being at this point of no return, allowing them to express and integrate their feelings, experiences and expectations during pregnancy, childbirth and after birth. Women with fear after birth, i.e., after an earlier negative birth experience, need support that enables them to regain trust in maternity care professionals and their willingness to provide them with good care that offers the support that individual women require. Women pregnant for the first time require similar support to reassure them that other's experiences will not happen to them.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Women’s experiences of fear of childbirth: a metasynthesis of qualitative studies

Wigert

Nilsson

Dencker

et al. 2019

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well

112

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Systematic reviews from high-income countries (HICs) show that psychological interventions in pregnancy are effective in reducing the negative health effects of anxiety on mother and baby (21,22). Most promising among these include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) (23)(24)(25)(26), behavior activation (27), antenatal education (28,29), psycho-education (30), and mindfulness therapies (31,32).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These interventions have been tested in both group (23, 27-29, 31, 32) and individual settings (25,26,30), using health professionals such as psychologists, obstetricians, midwives, and clinical social workers as well as non-health professionals such as yoga teachers. The number of sessions typically varies between 6 and 12 sessions, and sessions are delivered weekly or coordinated with routine antenatal appointments (21,22).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a Psychological Intervention to Address Anxiety During Pregnancy in a Low-Income Country

et al. 2020

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Background: One in five women suffer from anxiety during pregnancy. Untreated anxiety is a risk factor for postnatal depression and is associated with adverse birth outcomes. Despite the high prevalence of prenatal anxiety in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), efforts to develop and evaluate context-specific interventions in these settings are lacking. We aimed to develop a culturally appropriate, feasible, and acceptable psychological intervention for perinatal anxiety in the context of a low-income population in Pakistan. Methods: We conducted this research in Rawalpindi District at the Obstetrics Department of the Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University a government facility catering to a mixture of low-income urban, peri-urban, and rural populations. We used a mixture of research methods to: a) investigate the clinical, cultural, and healthservice delivery context of perinatal anxiety; b) select an evidence-based approach that suited the population and health-delivery system; c) develop an intervention with extensive reference documentation/manuals; and d) examine issues involved in its implementation. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and analyzed using framework analysis. Results: Informed by the qualitative findings and review of existing evidence-based practices, we developed the "Happy Mother, Healthy Baby" intervention, which was based on principles of cognitive behavior therapy. Its evidence-based elements included: developing an empathetic relationship, challenging thoughts, behavior activation, problem solving, and involving family. These elements were applied using a three-step approach: 1) learning to identify unhealthy or unhelpful thinking and behavior; 2) learning to replace unhealthy or unhelpful thinking and behavior with helpful thinking and behavior; and 3) practicing thinking and acting healthy. Delivered by non-specialist providers, the intervention used culturally appropriate illustrations and examples of healthy activities to

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Interventions for fear of childbirth (tocophobia)

O’Connell

O’Neill

Dempsey

et al. 2019

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

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A systematic review of nonpharmacological prenatal interventions for pregnancy‐specific anxiety and fear of childbirth

Abstract: Findings from this review can inform the development of treatment approaches to support pregnant women with PSA/FoB.

Cited by 81 publications

References 89 publications

Women’s experiences of fear of childbirth: a metasynthesis of qualitative studies

Women’s experiences of fear of childbirth: a metasynthesis of qualitative studies

Development of a Psychological Intervention to Address Anxiety During Pregnancy in a Low-Income Country

Interventions for fear of childbirth (tocophobia)

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