A Randomized Longitudinal Trial About Treatment for Severe Fear of Childbirth

Site of research: Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and University of Helsinki Department of Psychology, in collaboration with Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden In Finland and in Sweden, fear of childbirth is one of the most common reasons for consultation of obstetrician, and for an elective caesarean section. Approximately 5 to 6% of pregnant women suffer from severe fear of childbirth, which disturbs family-life and working and prevents the preparation to normal childbirth and parenthood. It represents as nightmares, panic attacks, anxiety, and as numerous physical complaints. After giving birth it can be difficult for these women to form an early mother-infant-relationship. Their risk for puerperal depression is also increased. Finland and Sweden have both a long tradition in research of this field. In Finland, the investigators research group started the first out-patient clinic for fearful pregnant women in HUCH in1996. Different strategies how to treat fear of childbirth have been applied to clinical practise. Studies on the treatment for fear of childbirth are, however, scanty. Some descriptive studies have showed that far more than one half of patients can, after the treatment, prepare to a normal vaginal delivery and caesarean without a medical indication can be avoided. The aim of the treatment should be both to avoid unnecessary caesareans, increase the number of uneventful vaginal deliveries and to help the pregnant couple to prepare to parenthood, as well as to prevent puerperal depression. In this study, psychotherapeutic group psychoeducation is studied as promising treatment for severe fear of childbirth. To screen fear of childbirth, all women coming to ultrasound screening at the 18 to 20 gestational week in HUCH are asked to fill in a specific questionnaire. Those nulliparous women whose score for fear exceeds 95th percentile are randomized to intervention and to control gro