Childbirth experiences among women with fear of birth randomized to internet-based cognitive therapy or midwife counseling

Background: Although women with fear of birth often report negative birth experiences, few studies have focused on their experiences in the long term. The aim of this study was to compare birth experiences a year after childbirth in two groups of women receiving treatment for experiencing fear of bi...

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Main Authors: Ingegerd Hildingsson, Christine Rubertsson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2020-07-01
Series:Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2019.1634047
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author Ingegerd Hildingsson
Christine Rubertsson
author_facet Ingegerd Hildingsson
Christine Rubertsson
author_sort Ingegerd Hildingsson
collection DOAJ
description Background: Although women with fear of birth often report negative birth experiences, few studies have focused on their experiences in the long term. The aim of this study was to compare birth experiences a year after childbirth in two groups of women receiving treatment for experiencing fear of birth during pregnancy. Methods: As part of the U-CARE: Pregnancy Trial, a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) and standard care among pregnant women with fear of birth. Women were recruited at three Swedish hospitals following a screening procedure that assessed their fear of birth. Data were collected online with the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), one question about the overall birth experience, and questions about personal background, collected before randomization. Results: A total of 181 women responded to the follow-up questionnaire a year after childbirth. Approximately half of participants reported a less positive birth experience. Preferred mode of birth, actual mode of birth, marital status and psychiatric history were associated with the domains of the CEQ. However, no statistically significant differences emerged between the treatment groups. Conclusions: Being randomized to receive iCBT or counseling with midwives for fear of birth was not associated with perceptions of the birth experience assessed a year after birth. Most participants reported less-than-positive birth experiences and scored low on the domain of the CEQ reflecting Own capacity. In response, additional research remains necessary to identify the best model of care that might facilitate positive experiences with giving birth among women with fear of birth.
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spelling doaj.art-f71de6a5fce74ea2b94a36fb064491082023-09-14T12:44:00ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology0167-482X1743-89422020-07-0141320521410.1080/0167482X.2019.16340471634047Childbirth experiences among women with fear of birth randomized to internet-based cognitive therapy or midwife counselingIngegerd Hildingsson0Christine Rubertsson1Uppsala UniversityUppsala UniversityBackground: Although women with fear of birth often report negative birth experiences, few studies have focused on their experiences in the long term. The aim of this study was to compare birth experiences a year after childbirth in two groups of women receiving treatment for experiencing fear of birth during pregnancy. Methods: As part of the U-CARE: Pregnancy Trial, a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) and standard care among pregnant women with fear of birth. Women were recruited at three Swedish hospitals following a screening procedure that assessed their fear of birth. Data were collected online with the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), one question about the overall birth experience, and questions about personal background, collected before randomization. Results: A total of 181 women responded to the follow-up questionnaire a year after childbirth. Approximately half of participants reported a less positive birth experience. Preferred mode of birth, actual mode of birth, marital status and psychiatric history were associated with the domains of the CEQ. However, no statistically significant differences emerged between the treatment groups. Conclusions: Being randomized to receive iCBT or counseling with midwives for fear of birth was not associated with perceptions of the birth experience assessed a year after birth. Most participants reported less-than-positive birth experiences and scored low on the domain of the CEQ reflecting Own capacity. In response, additional research remains necessary to identify the best model of care that might facilitate positive experiences with giving birth among women with fear of birth.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2019.1634047fear of birthinternet-based cognitive therapycounselingmidwiferybirth experience
spellingShingle Ingegerd Hildingsson
Christine Rubertsson
Childbirth experiences among women with fear of birth randomized to internet-based cognitive therapy or midwife counseling
Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology
fear of birth
internet-based cognitive therapy
counseling
midwifery
birth experience
title Childbirth experiences among women with fear of birth randomized to internet-based cognitive therapy or midwife counseling
title_full Childbirth experiences among women with fear of birth randomized to internet-based cognitive therapy or midwife counseling
title_fullStr Childbirth experiences among women with fear of birth randomized to internet-based cognitive therapy or midwife counseling
title_full_unstemmed Childbirth experiences among women with fear of birth randomized to internet-based cognitive therapy or midwife counseling
title_short Childbirth experiences among women with fear of birth randomized to internet-based cognitive therapy or midwife counseling
title_sort childbirth experiences among women with fear of birth randomized to internet based cognitive therapy or midwife counseling
topic fear of birth
internet-based cognitive therapy
counseling
midwifery
birth experience
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2019.1634047
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