Childbirthseems an ordeal increasingly feared by Americans, according to a survey by the University of Michigan in the United States. They are particularly worried about the care and medical assistance that would be provided to them in the event of complications or pain.
For the purposes of this small study, Professor Lee Roosevelt, of UM School of Nursing, followed a panel of 22 women, some of whom were pregnant or had just given birth. She surveyed participants about their perceptions of childbirth and asked them about the nature of their concerns.
The results show that 20% of women are worried about childbirth. And 6% of respondents are worried that it will affect their pregnancy and choice at birth. Some people avoid getting pregnant or opt for a cesarean, even a Abortion.
A risk of tokophobia
“Every pregnant woman, even the most confident of herself, expresses a certain concern about childbirth, about its progress, about how she will handle the situation, about what could happen”, points out Lee Roosevelt, quoted by the Daily Mail. But for a minority of women, this fear is even stronger and can become pathological. Some of them may suffer from tokophobia (phobia of giving birth).
Fear increases the risks associated with childbirth, notes Lee Roosevelt: “Women who are afraid of giving birth are more likely to have a caesarean section, to have a longer labor phase and to undergo artificial induction. They are also more exposed to the risk of postpartum depression“.
For the researcher, these conclusions show the importance for health professionals to reassure American women more about pregnancy and to better prepare them.
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