The influence of general anxiety and childbirth-specific anxiety on birth outcome

Abstract

In the present study, we examined a German sample to determine whether anxiety symptoms during pregnancy had an impact on the duration and method of childbirth. Data of N = 88 women recruited at the Heidelberg University Hospital were used in the analyses. Prepartum anxiety symptoms were assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI, general anxiety) and the Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-R, pregnancy-specific anxiety). Obstetric outcome was taken from birth records and operationalized by two parameters: the total duration of birth (dilation and fetal expulsion) and the incidence of pregnancy or birth-related interventions (ventouse, planned, and unplanned Cesarean section). The data show that childbirth-specific anxiety assessed by the PRAQ-R is an important predictor of total birth duration. In contrast, general anxiety measured by the STAI had no effect. The incidence of birth intervention was explained by parity. Anxiety, however, had no predictive value. In addition to medical factors, childbirth-specific anxiety during pregnancy plays an important role in the process of childbirth. The findings of the present study point to the need of implementing psychological interventions to reduce childbirth-specific anxiety and thereby positively influencing birth outcome.

The effect of childbirth preparation courses on anxiety and self-efficacy in coping with childbirth

“…She also observed that women with high levels of fear opted for childbirth with epidural anesthesia, while women with low levels of fear preferred natural childbirth. Similar results were also observed in the studies conducted by Reck et al [6] and Beebe et al, [7] who found a significant positive correlation between the overall anxiety level and birth-related anxiety, a significant negative correlation between the anxiety level and self-efficacy level in coping with childbirth, and a significant negative correlation between ways of coping with the childbirth process and the level of pain during childbirth. There was also a correlation between fear of childbirth, self-efficacy and the type of childbirth.…”

Prevalence of pregnancy anxiety and associated factors

“…These researchers http recommended that estimation of pregnancy-specific anxiety benefit in identification and risk reduction more specifically (Bayrampour, Heaman, Duncan, & Tough, 2013;Huizink et al, 2004;Rauchfuss & Maier, 2011;Reck et al, 2013). With limited evidences available on specific fears and worries related to pregnancy, the structure of pregnancy anxiety and its impact on pregnancy outcomes necessitate further studies exploring pregnancy-specific anxieties and its risk factors.…”

Making decisions in the management of perinatal depression and anxiety

“…Pregnancy anxiety, or anxiety regarding a current pregnancy, has been fairly consistently associated with shorter gestation and preterm birth, in rates comparable to other known risk factors such as medical and obstetric risks and smoking (Dunkel Schetter 2012). Pregnancy anxiety has also been associated with higher rates of emergency Caesarean sections in one study (Ryding 1998) but not others (Reck 2013), and longer duration of labour (Reck 2013). …”