Identifying women with fear of childbirth with the Dutch Fear of Birth Scale and its added value for consultations

I. den Boer, Y. M. G. A. Hendrix, H. Knoop, M. G. van Pampus

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: Determine whether the Fear of Birth Scale (FOBS) is a useful screening instrument for Fear of Childbirth (FoC) and examine the potential added value of screening by analyzing how often pregnant women discuss their FoC during consultation. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study included nulliparous pregnant women of all gestational ages, recruited via the internet, hospital and midwifery practices. The online questionnaires included the FOBS and Wijma Delivery Expectations Questionnaire version A (W-DEQ A). The latter was used as golden standard for assessing FoC (cutoff: ≥85). Results: Of the 364 included women, 67 (18.4%) had FoC according to the W-DEQ A. Using the FOBS with a cutoff score of ≥49, the sensitivity was 82.1% and the specificity 81.1%, with 111 (30.5%) women identified as having FoC. Positive predictive value was 49.5% and negative predictive value 95.3%. Of the women with FoC (FOBS ≥49), 68 (61.3%) did not discuss FoC with their caregiver. Conclusion: The FOBS is a useful screening instrument for FoC. A positive score must be followed by further assessment, either by discussing it during consultation or additional evaluation with the W-DEQ A. The majority of pregnant women with FoC do not discuss their fears, underscoring the need for screening.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)419-425
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology
Volume43
Issue number4
Early online date2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

Keywords

  • Fear Of Birth Scale (FOBS)
  • Fear of childbirth
  • Wijma Delivery Expectations Questionnaire version A (W-DEQ A)
  • pregnancy
  • screening
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Parturition
  • Phobic Disorders
  • Fear
  • Referral and Consultation

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