Author(s)

Mizuki Takegata^1*, Megumi Haruna¹, Masayo Matsuzaki¹, Mie Shiraishi¹, Tadaharu Okano², Elisabeth Severinsson³

¹Department of Midwifery and Women’s Health, Division of Health Sciences & Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
²Center of Physical and Mental Health, Mie University, Tsu City, Japan.
³Centre for Women’s, Family & Child Health, Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Buskerud & Vestfold University College, Kongsberg, Norway.

The study aimed to determine whether antenatal fear of childbirth (expectation) could predict postnatal fear of childbirth (experience) by taking account of other antenatal psychological variables (anxiety and depression) as well as birth outcomes in Japanese women. A longitudinal observational study was conducted at a clinic in Tokyo, Japan, in 2011. Self-report questionnaires were distributed to 240 Japanese women at 37 gestational weeks (Time 1) and on the second day after delivery (Time 2). Regression analyses by means of structural equation modelling were conducted in both the primiparous and the multiparous group. The models exhibited good fit (chisquare value/degree of freedom = 1.10 - 1.62, comparative fit index = 0.92 - 0.99 and root mean square error of approximation = 0.03 - 0.07). Antenatal fear of childbirth was the most predictive variable of postnatal fear of childbirth in both the primiparous (β = 0.58, p = 0.002) and the multiparous group (β = 0.62, p < 0.001). In conclusion, antenatal fear of childbirth was a significant predictor of postnatal fear of childbirth when other antenatal psychological variables and birth outcomes were taken into account. Pregnant women who are strongly afraid of childbirth need special attention before and after delivery.

Antenatal Fear of Childbirth, Japanese Women, Postnatal Fear of Childbirth, Relationship

Takegata, M. , Haruna, M. , Matsuzaki, M. , Shiraishi, M. , Okano, T. and Severinsson, E. (2015) Does Antenatal Fear of Childbirth Predict Postnatal Fear of Childbirth? A Study of Japanese Women. Open Journal of Nursing, 5, 144-152. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2015.52017.