Emotion During Pregnancy and Delivery as a Function of Repression-Sensitization and Number of Childbirths

Abstract

Two hundred pregnant women were asked, before and after child delivery, to fill out a questionnaire about their feelings during pregnancy and childbirth. A day after delivery, they filled out the revised repression‐sensitization (R‐S) scale (Byrne, Barry, and Nelson, 1963). Results of the study showed four factors in the women's feelings during pregnancy and child delivery: (1) feelings of pain and anxiety during pregnancy, as well as evaluation of the pain they had suffered during delivery; (2) anxiety in the labor room; (3) fear of giving birth to a defective child: and (4) pain in the labor room. Repressors scored lower on the first three‐factors than sensitizers; no significant differences were found between them in the fourth factor. Repressors also indicated that the birth pangs would influence them to postpone their next pregnancy to a lesser extent than did sensitizers. However, both indicated the same actual length of waiting time till their next pregnancy. A possible difference in time perspective between the two groups was suggested to explain this apparent inconsistency. Results also showed that primiparae scored lower on the first factor and higher on the fourth factor than did muitiparae.

Emotional experiences during the three trimesters of pregnancy

“…These findings are also consistent with those of Rofe et al (1981), Winokur and Werboff (1956), and Wenner et al (1%9), but are inconsistent with the studies of Doty (1967) and Paul (1974) referred to above. Further studies are needed to clarify these inconsistencies.…”

“…The fact that women with primiparae status feel less emotional stress and pain is consistent with our theoretical model: "Conflict" should be greatest among multiparae, who previously have experienced the "suffering" of birth either once or several times. These findings are also consistent with those of Rofe et al (1981), Winokur and Werboff (1956), and Wenner et al (1%9), but are inconsistent with the studies of Doty (1967) and Paul (1974) referred to above. Further studies are needed to clarify these inconsistencies.…”

“…On the one hand, she expects to complete her pregnancy satisfactorily, but on the other hand the delivery promotes fear and anxiety. (See, for example, Heymans & Winter, 1975;Leifer, 1980;Rofe et al, 1981). According to Miller's (1944Miller's ( , 1951 theory on conflict, the nearer the individual is to the goal in an approach-avoidance conflict, the higher the anxiety level.…”

Relationship between Islamic Lifestyle and Mental Health in Pregnant Women : A Cross-Sectional Study

“…11 Physiological and psychological changes during pregnancy are more intense during early stage of pregnancy, because due to hormonal changes, many pregnant women change their attitudes towards life and evaluate skills and lifestyle. [12][13] Lifestyle is a combination of wishes, ideas, programs and ordinary examples of behaviors which determine a special type of individual's interaction. 14,15 On the other hand; Islamic approach towards lifestyle is based on Islamic life's meaning and philosophy .In fact, the essence of the Islamic lifestyle definition lies in performing a set of manners based on Islam and Islamic teachings.…”

The Effect of Spiritual Counseling on Stress and Anxiety in Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

“…In addition to having hormonal changes at the beginning of pregnancy, women change their attitudes toward life and start to assess their skills and lifestyle (3). If they do not have the proper support, they will suffer from reduced self-esteem and worry about the health of the baby and the process of delivery and may experience abortion (4).…”