Comparison of the attitudes of pregnant women in the last trimester towards delivery: :Examples from two cities

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the birth attitudes of pregnant women at the last trimester, and the factors affecting them and to make a regional comparison by two sample cities. Material and method: This descriptive study was conducted in two public hospitals in Manisa and Malatya provinces with pregnant women in the last trimester. The research universe consisted of all live births in Manisa and Malatya public hospitals in 2014 (Manisa: 3128, Malatya: 6324; Total: 9452) and the sample consisted of 370 pregnant women (Manisa: 123, Malatya: 247). Results: The mean age of the pregnant women was 25,56±4,86 in Manisa and 24,96±4,30 in Malatya. Most of the pregnant women in both cities preferred normal birth. Pregnant women in Malatya preferred more commonly maternity hospital than pregnant women in Manisa. Pregnant women in Manisa preferred private hospitals more commonly than pregnant women in Malatya. The mean Birth Attitude Scale score of pregnant women in Malatya was higher than in Manisa (Manisa: 34,78 ± 10,76, Malatya: 37,51 ± 9,82) (p = 0,01) In both cities the mean Birth Attitude Scale scores were higher in pregnant women who are at or above 36th gestational week, have advanced pregnancy age, have income lower than expenditure and have nuclear family structure. The mean Birth Attitude Scale score was the highest in the pregnantwho have not decided where to give birth and was the lowest in the pregnant who decided to give birth at a private hospital. Conclusion: Birth fear was higher for pregnant women who have not decided where to give birth and who will help labor. Apart from socio-demographic variables, the most important factors that affect fear of childbirth in primipar women were uncertainties about the birth process and their inability to participate in the decision-making process. Key Words: Birth, Birth Attitude, Fear of Birth