Table 2 Key elements of women’s fear of childbirth
Element | Source | |
|---|---|---|
1 | Fear of not knowing and not being able to plan for the unpredictable | W, CM, MS |
2 | Fear of not having a voice in decision making | W, CM, MS |
3 | Fear of harm or stress to the baby | W, CM, MS |
4 | Fear of inability to cope with pain | W, CM, MS |
5 | Body’s ability to give birth | W, MS |
6 | Fear of harm to self in labour and postnatally | W, CM, MS |
7 | Fear of being ‘done to’ | W, CM |
8 | Fear of being abandoned/alone | W, CM, MS |
9 | Fear of internal loss of control | CM, MS |
10 | Terrified of birth and not knowing why | CM, MS |