Mums-to-be feeling fear

Midwives warn women are terrified of childbirth

Rising numbers of pregnant women are so petrified of childbirth pain they are demanding epidurals as soon as they feel a dull ache and before active labour has started. One in four women suffer from childbirth fear and one third of first-time mums.

RISING numbers of pregnant women are so petrified of childbirth pain they are demanding epidurals as soon as they feel a dull ache and before active labour has started.

One in four women suffer from childbirth fear and one third of first-time mums.

Midwives warn without antenatal intervention the dread can result in calls for Csections and even abortion.

Research shows tocophobia – the fear of childbirth – is sparked by worries about the child’s life, followed by a phobia of pain, concerns for their own life, feeling inept, horror stories and a woman’s own previous traumatic experience.

Data from the Australian study Prevalence of Childbirth Fear in an Australian Sample of Pregnant Women shows that helping women cope with the fear cuts the C-section rate by eight per cent.

One of the authors, Dr Jennifer Fenwick, professor of Midwifery at Griffith Universi- ty and Clinical Chair at Gold Coast University Hospital, says fear management is key to reducing traumatic births.

She runs fear of birth group sessions.

“A little bit of fear is normal and can motivate women through labour but the fear often becomes debilitating,” Dr Fenwick said.

“The system is not supporting women. Our study shows they feel disempowered.

“Years ago a woman would build up nine months of trust with her midwife but today women come across complete strangers in the labour ward and the dread rises. I think there would be less women asking for early epidurals if they had a known and trusted professional encouraging them.”

Former president of the Australian Midwives Association Liz Wilkes says a woman can see up to 23 different care providers during labour.