Does fear of childbirth during pregnancy predict emergency caesarean section?
OBJECTIVE: Caesarean section rates are rising dramatically in the UK. It has been estimated that they have increased from 10% to 22% of all births over 15 years. A Swedish study has suggested that fear of childbirth during pregnancy may increase the risk of emergency caesarean section. The aim of this study is to identify whether fear of childbirth can predict the occurrence of emergency caesarean section in a UK sample. DESIGN: A prospective design using between-group comparisons. SETTING: Sheffield. S. Yorkshire, UK. SAMPLE: Four hundred and forty-three pregnant women, recruited at 32 weeks of gestation, over 16 years of age. METHODS: Participants completed self-assessment, postal questionnaires assessing fear of labour and anxiety using the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Scale (W-DEQ) and the Speilberger State Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI), together with their expectations about their mode of delivery. Delivery information was gathered via birth summary sheets. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Mode of
