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Background <p>In 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.</p> Methods <p>This 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.</p> Results <p>Through 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.</p> Conclusions <p>The 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.</p>

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The lasting effects of fear of childbirth: parous women’s experiences of postponing or avoiding subsequent pregnancies

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月9日

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  • Elin Ternström,
  • Nora Aarseth,
  • Elisabet Rondung

摘要

Background

In 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.

Methods

This 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.

Results

Through 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.

Conclusions

The 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.