Prevalence of Childbirth Fear in Georgia College and State University Undergraduate Students
Abstract
Childbirth fear is defined as an intense anxiety regarding pregnancy and the childbirth process. It exists on a spectrum ranging from mild anxiety to severe phobia that can impair the ability to perform many of the activities of daily living. Generally, the fear of childbirth stems from various factors related to the childbirth experience; however, there is significant evidence to suggest that many young people are fearful of childbirth prior to pregnancy, resulting in a higher elective cesarean section rate. Research has shown that the implementation of medically unnecessary interventions, such as elective cesarean section, contributes to poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. Gaining a better understanding young adults’ fear of childbirth can help healthcare professionals develop and implement strategies aimed at alleviating this fear in order to promote better outcomes for the next generation of obstetric patients. This project seeks to assess childbirth fear in a group of undergraduate students through administration of a survey consisting of questions about demographic and childbirth fear. Eligible participants will be recruited for participation via email, flyers, and face-to-face interactions. All data collected will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and reported in aggregate to better understand the nature of childbirth fear in the sample in an effort to identify individuals at risk.
Prevalence of Childbirth Fear in Georgia College and State University Undergraduate Students
Childbirth fear is defined as an intense anxiety regarding pregnancy and the childbirth process. It exists on a spectrum ranging from mild anxiety to severe phobia that can impair the ability to perform many of the activities of daily living. Generally, the fear of childbirth stems from various factors related to the childbirth experience; however, there is significant evidence to suggest that many young people are fearful of childbirth prior to pregnancy, resulting in a higher elective cesarean section rate. Research has shown that the implementation of medically unnecessary interventions, such as elective cesarean section, contributes to poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. Gaining a better understanding young adults’ fear of childbirth can help healthcare professionals develop and implement strategies aimed at alleviating this fear in order to promote better outcomes for the next generation of obstetric patients. This project seeks to assess childbirth fear in a group of undergraduate students through administration of a survey consisting of questions about demographic and childbirth fear. Eligible participants will be recruited for participation via email, flyers, and face-to-face interactions. All data collected will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and reported in aggregate to better understand the nature of childbirth fear in the sample in an effort to identify individuals at risk.