The Relationship Between The Self-Perceived Power and Fear of Childbirth Among Pregnant Women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8430950Keywords:
Pregnancy, Fear of childbirth, Empowerment of womenAbstract
Purpose: To investigate the relationships between the self-perceived power of women during pregnancy and their fears of the postpartum period.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Methods: 302 pregnant women who could be reached by snowball sampling method were included in the study. The data were collected through the introductory information form, the Women's Psychological Empowerment Scale, and the Fear of Childbirth and the Postpartum Period Scale.
Results: A highly significant negative correlation found between the perceived power of women and their worries during and after childbirth (r(302) = −.808, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: The empowerment of women psychologically can reduce their fear of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
References
Adams, S. Eberhard-Gran, M., Eskild, A. (2012). Fear of childbirth and duration of labour: a study of 2206 women with intended vaginal delivery. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics Gynaecology, 119(10),1238-1246. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03433.x
Ahmed, S., Creanga, A.A., Gillespie, D.G., Tsui, A.O. (2010). Economic Status, Education and Empowerment: Implications for Maternal Health Service Utilization in Developing Countries. PLoS ONE, 23;5(6): e11190. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011190
Alipour, Z., Lamyian, M., & Hajizadeh, E. (2012). Anxiety and fear of childbirth as predictors of postnatal depression in nulliparous women. Women and Birth, 25, e37-e43. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.wombi.2011.09.002
Akhlaghi F, Mokhber N, Shakeri MT, Shamsa F. (2012). Relation between depression, anxiety, self-esteem, marital satisfaction, demographical factor and maternal complications with fear of childbirth in nulliparous women. Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health, 14 (54), 31-122.
Anderson, R. M., & Funnell, M.M. (2010). Patient empowerment: Myths and misconceptions. Patient Education and Counseling, 79(3), 277-282. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2009.07.025
Aksoy, A. N., Ozkan, H., & Gundogdu, G. (2015). Fear of childbirth in women with normal pregnancy evolution. Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology, 42(2), 179–183.
Aksoy, M., Aksoy, A. N., Dostbil, A., Celik, M. G., & Ince, I. (2014). The relationship between fear of childbirth and women’s knowledge about painless childbirth. Obstetrics and Gynecology International, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/274303
Ayers, S. (2014). Fear of childbirth, postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder and midwifery care. Midwifery, 30, 145-148. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2013.12.001
Bahl, R., Strachan, B., & Murphy, D.J. (2004). Outcome of subsequent pregnancy three years after previous operative delivery in second stage of labour: cohort study. British Medical Journal, 328, 311-315. doi: 10.1136/bmj.37942.546076.44
Beiranvand, S.P., Moghadam, Z.B.,2, Salsali, M., Majd, H.M., Birjandi, M., & Khalesi, Z.B. (2017). Prevalence of Fear of Childbirth and Its Associated Factors in Primigravid Women: A Cross- Sectional Study. Shiraz E-Med J., 18(11): e61896. doi: 10.5812/semj.61896
Bewley S, & Cockburn J. (2002). Responding to fear of childbirth. The Lancet, 22;359(9324):2128-9. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)09113-4.
Bozkur, B. (2020). Women's Psychological Empowerment Scale: A Scale Development Study. Fe Dergi, 12(2), 15-31.
Bravo, M. del M. P., Martínez, P. A., & Ruiz, I. J. (2014). Arranged Marriages: Women for Sale. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 132, 564-569. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014. 04.354
Calpbinici, P., Terzioglu, F. & Koc, G. (2021). The relationship of perceived social support, personality traits and self-esteem of the pregnant women with the fear of childbirth. Health Care For Women International, 1-15. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2021.2007925
Cornwall, A. (2016). Women’s empowerment: What works. Journal of International Development, 28, 342-359. doi: 10.1002/jid.3210
Crissman, H.P., Adanu, R.M., & Harlow, S.D. (2012). Women’s sexual empowerment and contraceptive use in Ghana. Stud Fam Plan, 43(3), 201-212. doi: 10.1111/j.1728-4465.2012.00318.x.
Crandon, L., & Shepard, B. (1984). Women, Enterprise, and Development The Pathfinder Fund' Women in Development: Projects, Evaluation, and Documentation (WID/PED) Program. Chestnut Hill, MA: Pathfinder Fund. https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pnaas314.pdf
Çokluk, Ö., Şekercioğlu, G., Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2010). Sosyal bilimler için çok değişkenli istatistik: Spss ve Lisrel uygulamaları. Ankara, Pegem Akademi.
Eriksson, C., Jansson, L., & Hamberg, K. (2006). Women’s experiences of intense fear related to childbirth investigated in a Swedish qualitative study. Midwifery, 22, 240-248. doi: 10.1016/j. midw.2005.10.002
Elvander, C., Cnattingius, S., & Kjerulff, K.H. (2013). Birth experience in women with low, intermediate or high levels of fear: findings from the first baby study. Birth: Issues Perinat Care, 40(4), 289-296. doi: 10.1111/birt.12065
Fenwick, J., Gamble, J., Nathan, E., Bayes, S., & Hauck, Y. (2009). Pre- and postpartum levels of childbirth fear and the relationship to birth outcomes in a cohort of Australian women. J Clin Nurs, 18(5), 667-677. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02568.x
Gao, L.L., Liu, X.J., Fu, B.L., & Xie, W. (2015). Predictors of childbirth fear among pregnant Chinese women: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Midwifery, 31(9), 865-870. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2015.05.003
Garcia, E.R., Yim, I.S., 2017. A systematic review of concepts related to women’s empowerment in the perinatal period and their associations with perinatal depressive symptoms and premature birth. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 8(17), 347. doi: 10.1186/s12884-017-1495-1
Haines, H. M., Rubertsson, C., Pallant, J. F., & Hildingsson, I. (2012). The influence of women’s fear, attitudes and beliefs of childbirth on mode and experience of birth. BMC Pregnancy and childbirth, 12, 55, 1-14.
Hameed, W., Uddin, M., & Avan, B.I. (2021). Are underprivileged and less empowered women deprived of respectful maternity care: Inequities in childbirth experiences in public health facilities in Pakistan. PLoS ONE, 16(4), e0249874. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249874
Heimstad, R., Dahloe, R., Laache, I., Skogvoll, E., & Schei, B. (2006). Fear of childbirth and history of abuse: implications for pregnancy and delivery. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 85(4), 435-440. doi: 10.1080/00016340500432507
Hildingsson, I., Rubertsson, C., Karlstrom, A., Haines, H. (2018). Exploring the fear of birth scale in a mixed population of women of childbearing age-a Swedish pilot study. Women Birth, 31(5), 407-413. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.12.005
James-Hawkins, L., Peters, C., VanderEnde, K., Bardin, L., & Yount, K.M. (2018). Women’s agency and its relationship to current contraceptive use in lower- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of the literature. Global Public Health, 13, 843-858. https:// doi. org/ 10.1080/ 17441692.2016.1239270
Johnson, A., Kumar, M.G., Jacob, R., Jessie, M., Mary, F., Agrawal, T., & Raman, V. (2019). Fear of childbirth among pregnant women availing antenatal services in a maternity hospital in rural Karnataka. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 41(4), 318-322. doi: 10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_292_18
Johnson, R. C., & Slade, P. (2002). Obstetric complications and anxiety during pregnancy: is there a relationship? Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 24, 1-14. doi: 10.3109/01674820309042796
Kabeer, N. (2001). Reflections on the measurement of women’s empowerment. In: Discussing Women’s Empowerment-Theory and Practice. Stockholm: Novum Grafiska AB.
Kabeer, N. (2005). Gender equality and women's empowerment: A critical analysis of the third millennium development goal 1. Gender & Development, 13(1), 13-24, doi: 10.1080/13552070512331332273
Kitapçıoğlu, G., Yanıkkerem, E. Sevil, Ü. Yüksel, D. (2008). Fear of Childbirth and The Postpartum Period: A Scale Development and Validation Study. ADÜ Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, 9(1), 47-54.
Krishnan, N.V.H., Sivramkrishna, S., Warrier, U. (2017). Women Empowerment Through Enhancement Of Income Generation And Decision-Making Abilities. Indian Journal of Commerce & Management Studies,1-6.
Laursen, M., Hedegaard, M., Johansen, C. (2008). Fear of childbirth: Predictors and temporal changes among nulliparous women in the Danish National Birth Cohort. BJOG, 115(3), 354-360. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01583.x
Larkin, P., Begley, C., & Devane, D. (2009). Women’s experiences of labour and birth: An evolutionary concept analysis. Midwifery, 25(2), 49-59. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2007.07.010
Lopukhova, O.G., & Kashshapova, E.V. (2015). Fear of childbirth in pregnant women: External and internal factors. Psychology in Russia, 8(4), 115-125.
Lukasse, M., Schei, B., & Ryding, E.L. (2014). Prevalence and associated factors of fear of childbirth in six European countries. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 5 (3), 99-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2014.06.007
Moonzwe Davis, L., Schensul, S. L., Schensul, J. J., Verma, R. K., Nastasi, B. K., & Singh, R. (2014). Women’s empowerment and its differential impact on health in low-income communities in Mumbai, India. Global Public Health, 9(5), 481-494. doi:10.1080/17441692.2014.90491
Narayan, D. (2005). Conceptual framework and methodological challenges. In Measuring Empowerment: Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives; Volume 6. The World Bank: Washington, DC, USA. pp. 363–365.
Nilsson, C., & Landgren, I. (2009). Women’s lived experience of fear of childbirth. Midwifery, 25, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2007.01.017
Ogrodniczuk, J.S. (2004). Increasing a partner’s understanding of motherhood significantly reduces postnatal distress and depression in first time mothers with low self-esteem. Evidence Based Mental Health, 7(4), 116. doi: 10.1136/ebmh.7.4.116
Okumus F, Sahin N. (2017). Fear of childbirth in urban and rural regions of Turkey: Comparison of two resident populations. Northern clinics of Istanbul, 4(3), 247-256.
Oropesa, R. (1997). Development and Marital Power in Mexico. Social Forces, 75(4), 1291-1318. doi: https://doi.org/10.2307/2580672
Parrado, E. A., Flippen, C. A., & McQuiston, C. M. (2005). Migration and Relationship Power Among Mexican Women. Demography, 42(2), 347–372. doi:10.1353/dem.2005.0016
Phunyammalee, M., Buayaem, T., & Boriboonhirunsarn, D. (2019). Fear of childbirth and associated factors among low-risk pregnant women. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1-5. doi:10.1080/01443615.2019.1584885
Pratley, P. (2016). Associations between quantitative measures of women’s empowerment and access to care and health status for mothers and their children: a systematic review of evidence from the developing world. Soc Sci Med, 169, 119-131. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.08.001
Raisanen, S., Lehto, S.M., Nielsen, H.S., Gissler, M., Kramer, M.R., Heinonen, S. (2014). Fear of childbirth in nulliparous and multiparous women: a population-based analysis of all singleton births in Finland in 1997-2010. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 121, 965-970. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.12599
Rouhe, H., Salmela-Aro, K., Halmesmäki, E., Saisto, T. (2009). Fear of childbirth according to parity, gestational age and obstetric history. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 116(7), 1005-1006. doi:10.1111/j.1471- 0528.2009.02154.x
Rouhe, H., Salmela-Aro, K., Toivanen R., Tokolo, M., Halmesmaki, E., & Saisto, T. (2013). Obstetric outcome after intervention for severe fear of childbirth in nulliparous women – randomised trial. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 120(1), 75- 84. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.12011
Ryding, E. L., Persson, Å., Onell, C., & Kvist, L. (2003). An evaluation of midwives counselling of pregnant women in fear of childbirth. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 82, 10–17. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0412.2003.820102.x
Salomonsson, B., Bertero, C., & Alehagen, S. (2013). Self-efficacy in pregnant women with severe fear of childbirth. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs, 42(2), 191-202. doi: 10.1111/1552-6909.12024. PMID: 23488555.
Sen, G. (1994). Women’s empowerment and human rights: the challenge to policy. In: Population – the complex reality. A Report of the Population Summit of the World's Scientific Academies, edited by Francis Graham-Smith. London: Royal Society. p. 363-372.
Serçekuş, P., Vardar, O., & Özkan, S. (2020). Fear of Childbirth among Pregnant Women and Their Partners in Turkey. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 100501. doi:10.1016/j.srhc.2020.100501
Sezen, L. (2005). Türkiye'de evlenme biçimleri. Atatürk Üniversitesi Türkiyat Araştırmaları Enstitüsü Dergisi, 11(27), 185-195.
Shroff, M., Griffiths, P., Adair, L., Suchindran, C., & Bentley, M. (2009). Maternal autonomy is inversely related to child stunting in Andhra Pradesh, India. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 5(1), 64-74. doi:10.1111/j.1740-8709.2008.00161.x
Soltani, F., Eskandari, Z., Khodakarami, B., Parsa, P., Roshanaei, G. (2017). Factors contributing to fear of childbirth among pregnant women in Hamadan (Iran) in 2016. Electronic Physician, 9(7), 4725-4731. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.19082/4725
Soysal, C., & Işıkalan, M.M. (2020). Determination of risk factors affecting fear of childbirth during pregnancy. Cukurova Medical Journal, 45(4), 1340-1345. doi: https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.723669
Tanglakmankhong, K., Perrin, N.A., & Lowe, N.K. (2011). Childbirth self-efficacy inventory and childbirth attitudes questionnaire: psychometric properties of Thai language versions. J Adv Nurs, 67(1),193-203. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05479.x
Ternstrom, E., Hildingsson, I., Haines, H., & Rubertsson, C. (2015). Higher prevalence of childbirth related fear in foreign born pregnant women—findings from a community sample in Sweden. Midwifery, 31(4), 445-450.
Toohill, J., Fenwick, J., Gamble, J., & Creedy, D.K. (2014). Prevalence of childbirth fear in an Australian sample of pregnant women. BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth, 14:275. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-275.
Tuladhar, S., Khanal, K.R., Lila, K.C., Ghimire, P.K., & Onta, K. (2013). Women’s empowerment and spousal violence in relation to health outcomes in Nepal Further Analysis of the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Nepal Ministry of
Health and Population, New ERA, and ICF International. Available from: https:// dhsprogram. com/ pubs/ pdf/fa77/fa77.pdf. Accessed on 6 May 2022.
Ural, A., & Kılıç, İ. (2013). Bilimsel araştırma süreci ve SPSS ile veri analizi. Ankara: Detay Yayıncılık.
World Health Organization. (2022). Abortion care guideline. Geneva. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0IGO. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240039483. Accessed on 16 August 2022.
Xu, X., & Lai, S.C. (2002). Resources, Gender Ideologies, and Marital Power: The Case of Taiwan. Journal of Family Issues, 23(2), 209-245.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 WORLD WOMEN STUDIES JOURNAL
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.