ArticleReproductive health2026
The lasting effects of fear of childbirth: parous women's experiences of postponing or avoiding subsequent pregnancies.
Article in Reproductive health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Factors associated with fear of childbirth among pregnant adolescents in Northeastern Thailand: A cross-sectional study.European journal of midwifery · 2026Article
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3 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundIn research and clinical practice, fear of childbirth (FOC) is mainly identified and acknowledged during pregnancy. Hence, knowledge about how FOC affects women before and between pregnancies is limited. Here, we aimed to explore the experience of FOC among non-pregnant women who had previously given birth but were hesitant to become pregnant again despite a strong desire for more children.
methodsThis study was part of a larger qualitative interview study exploring FOC among non-pregnant women and builds on eight semi-structured interviews. All participating women had given birth once or twice before. They longed for one or more children but were hesitant about another pregnancy and birth due to FOC. Six of them had experienced FOC during their last pregnancy. We analyzed the interviews using reflective thematic analysis.
resultsThrough analysis, we identified five themes: “Fear disturbs my daily life and makes me avoid another pregnancy,” “Negative perinatal care experiences fueled my pre-existing fears,” “I want to control the mode of birth as I expect a worst-case scenario,” “I need professional support even if I’m not pregnant,” and “See me for who I am and listen to my specific needs.” These were summarized under the overarching theme: “In the grip of fear, striving to find a way out.” Despite the women’s desire for more children, fear led them to delay or avoid future pregnancies. This fear often originated before or during their first pregnancies and was sometimes intensified by traumatic childbirth experiences. A lack of professional support and individualized care left them feeling isolated and unsupported, which significantly impacted their lives and reproductive futures, illustrating their ongoing struggle to escape the grip of fear.
conclusionsThe findings highlight an urgent need for support systems, addressing the psychological needs of women with FOC, not only during pregnancy but whenever support is needed throughout their reproductive lives. To help women manage their FOC and regain confidence in giving birth, it is essential to respect their individual concerns, choices, and preferences. Maternal care providers must be equipped to offer a broader range of options within maternal care to meet these needs.
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