Emotional Well-Being and the Importance for Women with Fear of Birth to have a Known Midwife at Birth

Abstract

Background: Previous research has shown that women with fear of childbirth often suffer from other mental health issues. Continuity of caregiver through a known midwife is best practice for pregnant women, and women with childbirth related fear value continuity of care. In Sweden the maternity care is fragmented and women’s opinion remains under-investigated. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate emotional well-being and the importance of having a known midwife during birth in women referred to counselling for childbirth related fear. Design: Cross sectional study Setting: 3 Swedish hospitals providing counseling for childbirth related fear. Participants: Women who were referred for counseling due to fear of childbirth. Measures: The importance of having a known midwife at birth, background factors, emotional well-being and attitudes. Results: 77 women referred to counseling consented to participate. The majority of women were likely to present with previous or ongoing emotional distress, high levels of anxiety or depressive symptoms, low Sense of Coherence and Major worries. For the majority of women (71%) it was important to have a known midwife at birth and most important for women with high levels of childbirth fear. Conclusion: This study highlights that women referred to counseling due to fear of childbirth might need additional support to cope with their emotional distress. The results also indicated that having a known midwife at birth was important to these women, especially for women with higher fear. The option of having a known midwife during birth is rarely accomplished in Sweden due to the fragmentation of care.