The effect of childbirth fear on pregnancy complaints and quality of life during pregnancy

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the levels of childbirth fear during pregnancy, the frequency of pregnancy-related complaints and the quality of life, to determine the sociodemographic factors associated with childbirth fear and complaints; and also to examine the impact of childbirth fear on pregnancy-related complaints and quality of life. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 339 pregnant women at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Training and Research Hospital's Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic. Data were collected using the sociodemographic information form, the WIJMA Childbirth Expectation/Experience (WDEQ-A) Scale, and the Pregnancy Complaints and Impact on Quality of Life Scale (PCIQLS). Results: The mean WDEQ-A score of the pregnant women was calculated as 68.11 (SD±30.96). It was found that 15.9% of the participants had mild, 28.3% moderate, 26.5% severe, and 29.2% clinical levels of childbirth fear. It was observed that as the frequency of experiencing miscarriage, curettage or stillbirth increased, the fear of childbirth increased. (p<0.05). The mean PCIQLS score was calculated as 61.56 (SD±31.90). It was determined that the most common complaints experienced by pregnant women were stated as frequent urination (56.9%), fatigue and exhaustion (42.8%), back pain (30.1%) and lower back pain (29.8%). The PCIQLS score was highest in the third trimester and lowest in the first trimester (p<0.05). Decreased age and complications during pregnancy were associated with higher PCIQLS scores (p<0.05, p<0,05). Pregnant women with occupations other than homemaker, civil servant, or worker had lower PCIQLS scores (p<0.05). It was obvious that as the level of childbirth fear increased during pregnancy, the PCIQLS scores increased(p<0,001). Conclusion: More than half of the pregnant women have been diagnosed with advanced and clinical levels of fear of childbirth. In addition, it was determined that childbirth fear exacerbates pregnancy-related complaints. There is a need for larger samples and different methodological studies on the measures to be taken.