Non-pharmacological interventions for reducing fear of childbirth during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pregnancy is a unique period in which women undergo various physiological, psychological, and social changes. One of the most common psychosocial challenges during this period is fear of childbirth (tokophobia), which can negatively affect the birth experience, maternal preferences, and postpartum psychosocial adaptation. Fear of childbirth may also influence maternal-infant bonding, postpartum mental health, and child development. The aim of this study was to systematically review the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing childbirth fear during pregnancy. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, including research articles published in Turkish or English between 1998 and 2022. A total of 18 studies were included in the systematic review. The interventions evaluated encompassed psychoeducation, solution-focused counseling, bilinçli farkındalık, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessin), birth preparation training, virtual reality, and haptonomy. The results demonstrated that non-pharmacological interventions had significant positive effects on reducing childbirth fear. Programs that were individualized, culturally adapted, and delivered in multiple sessions were found to be more effective. In conclusion, interventions aimed at reducing fear of childbirth empower woman-centered birth practices and contribute to the reduction of cesarean section rates. It is recommended that such interventions be integrated into midwifery practice