Determination of the fear of childbirth and influencing factors of expectant fathers
Year 2025,
Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 103 - 109, 31.08.2025
Fatma Nur Duman
,
Zehra Gölbaşı
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the level of fear of childbirth and the factors affecting it in expectant fathers whose wives were in the 20th-40th gestational week.
Methods: The study was descriptive. The population of the study consisted of the spouses of pregnant women who applied to the hospital, and the sample consisted of 135 expectant fathers. The data were collected by face-to-face interview technique in a private hospital in Ankara and data were collected using a personal information form and the Fathers' Fear of Childbirth Scale (FSCS).
Results: The mean score of the total score of the FSCS was 44.77±14.91, the mean score of the birth process sub-dimension was 31.22±11.42 and the mean score of the hospital fear sub-dimension was 12.65±4.94. The level of fear of childbirth of expectant fathers is affected by perceived income status, presence of chronic disease in the spouse, presence of medical problem in the baby and gestational week. As a result of multiple linear regression analysis, a significant regression model (F4-130=6.654. p<0.001) and 14.4% (R2adjusted=0.144) of the total score of expectant fathers from the fear of childbirth scale was explained by independent variables.
Conclusion: The results of the study show that expectant fathers experience moderate level of fear of childbirth and that perceived income status, the gestational week of the wife, the presence of chronic disease in the wife and the presence of medical problems in the baby affect the level of fear of childbirth experienced.
Ethical Statement
Ethics committee approval was obtained from Lokman Hekim University Scientific Research Ethics Committee (Board Decision No: 2024/182, Code No: 2024172) on July 31, 2024.
Supporting Institution
The study was presented orally at the 3rd International and 4th National Women’s Health Congress. The presenting author was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) within the scope of the 2224-B Domestic Scientific Event Participation Support Program (Project No: 1919B022500683).
References
-
Baldwin, S., Malone, M., Sandall, J., & Bick, D. (2018). Mental health and wellbeing during the transition to fatherhood: A systematic review of first time fathers' experiences. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 16(11), 2118–2191. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003773
-
Bergström, M., Rudman, A., Waldenström, U., & Kieler, H. (2013). Fear of childbirth in expectant fathers, subsequent childbirth experience and impact of antenatal education: Subanalysis of results from a randomized controlled trial. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 92(8), 967–973. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.12147
-
Bruno, A., Celebre, L., Mento, C., Rizzo, A., Silvestri, M. C., De Stefano, R., Zoccali, R. A., & Muscatello, M. R. A. (2020). When fathers begin to falter: A comprehensive review on paternal perinatal depression. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(4), 1139. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041139
-
Calpbinici, P., Uzunkaya Öztoprak, P., Terzioğlu, F., & Üstün, Y. (2023). The Fathers’ Fear of Childbirth Scale: A Turkish validity and reliability study. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 41(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2023.2225084
-
Colciago, E., Brown, A. M., Ornaghi, S., Antolini, L., Nespoli, A., Fumagalli, S., & Robinson, A. (2022). The unpredictable nature of labour and birth: A qualitative investigation regarding expectations of Italian parents to-be. Midwifery, 108, 103286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2022.103286
-
Elmir, R., & Schmied, V. (2022). A qualitative study of the impact of adverse birth experiences on fathers. Women and Birth, 35(1), e41–e48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2021.01.005
-
Eriksson, C., Westman, G., & Hamberg, K. (2005). Experiential factors associated with childbirth-related fear in Swedish women and men: A population-based study. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 26(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/01674820400023275
-
Eriksson, C., Westman, G., & Hamberg, K. (2006). Content of childbirth-related fear in Swedish women and men: Analysis of an open-ended question. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 51(2), 112–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmwh.2005.08.010
-
Etheridge, J., & Slade, P. (2017). “Nothing’s actually happened to me.”: The experiences of fathers who found childbirth traumatic. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 17(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-017-1259-y
-
Ghaffari, S. F., Elyasi, F., Mousavinasab, S. N., & Shahhosseini, Z. (2021). A systematic review of clinical trials affecting anxiety, stress, and fear of childbirth in expectant fathers. Nursing Open, 8(4), 1527–1537. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.681
-
Ghaffari, S. F., Elyasi, F., Nikbakht, R., & Shahhosseini, Z. (2022). A structural equation model analysis of the relationship between maternal fear of childbirth and expectant fathers’ fear of childbirth: The mediating role of fathers’ depression, anxiety, and stress. Brain and Behavior, 12(12), e2802. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2802
-
Ghaffari, S. F., Sharif Nia, H., Elyasi, F., Shahhosseini, Z., & Mohammadpoorsaravimozafar, Z. (2021). Design and psychometric evaluation of the Fathers’ Fear of Childbirth Scale: A mixed method study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21(1), 222. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03696-7
-
Griffith, D. M., Jaeger, E. C., Pepperman, P., Chustz, K. A., Frazier, D., & Wilson, A. (2025). Expectant and new fathers say they need resources and sources of support. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 25(1), 205. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07290-z
-
Hildingsson, I., Johansson, M., Fenwick, J., Haines, H., & Rubertsson, C. (2014). Childbirth fear in expectant fathers: Findings from a regional Swedish cohort study. Midwifery, 30(2), 242–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2013.01.001
-
Keramat, A., Malary, M., Moosazadeh, M., Bagherian, N., & Rajabi-Shakib, M. R. (2021). Factors influencing stress, anxiety, and depression among Iranian pregnant women: The role of sexual distress and genital self-image. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03575-1
-
Longworth, H. L., & Kingdon, C. K. (2011). Fathers in the birth room: What are they expecting and experiencing? A phenomenological study. Midwifery, 27(5), 588–594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2010.06.013
-
Moran, E., Bradshaw, C., Tuohy, T., & Noonan, M. (2021). The paternal experience of fear of childbirth: An integrative review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3), 1231. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031231
-
Najafi, Z., Jenani, P., Mirghafourvand, M., Rezaie, M., Khalili, A., Ghanbari-Homaie, S., & Abdouli, N. (2024). Fear of birth among Iranian fathers of full-term and preterm neonates: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 30(3), 288–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2023.10.011
-
Nilsson, C., Hessman, E., Sjöblom, H., Dencker, A., Jangsten, E., Mollberg, M., Patel, H., Sparud-Lundin, C., Wigert, H., & Begley, C. (2018). Definitions, measurements, and prevalence of fear of childbirth: A systematic review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 18(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-018-1659-7
-
Pang, M. W., Lee, T. S., Leung, A. K., Leung, T. Y., Lau, T. K., & Leung, T. N. (2007). A longitudinal observational study of preference for elective caesarean section among nulliparous Hong Kong Chinese women. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 114(5), 623–629. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01267.x
-
Rashidi, F., Mirghafourvand, M., & Malakouti, J. (2023). Fear of childbirth and its relationship with anxiety and depression among Iranian fathers: A descriptive study. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 41(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2023.2256785
-
Schachman, K. A. (2010). Online fathering: The experience of first-time fatherhood in combat-deployed troops. Nursing Research, 59(1), 11–17. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0b013e3181c3ba1d
-
Schytt, E., & Hildingsson, I. (2011). Physical and emotional self-rated health among Swedish women and men during pregnancy and the first year of parenthood. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 2(2), 57–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2010.12.003
-
Serçekuş, P., Vardar, O., & Özkan, S. (2020). Fear of childbirth among pregnant women and their partners in Turkey. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 24, 100501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2020.100501
-
Vischer, L. C., Heun, X., Steetskamp, J., Hasenburg, A., & Skala, C. (2020). Birth experience from the perspective of the fathers. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 302(5), 1297–1303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-020-05714-z
-
Xue, B., Wang, X., Chen, H., Redding, S. R., Wei, W., & Ouyang, Y. Q. (2024). Fear of childbirth and influencing factors of expectant fathers in China: a cross-sectional study. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 29(8), 1411–1424. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2024.2329913
Baba adaylarının doğum korku düzeyi ve etkileyen faktörlerin belirlenmesi
Year 2025,
Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 103 - 109, 31.08.2025
Fatma Nur Duman
,
Zehra Gölbaşı
Abstract
Amaç: Bu araştırmanın amacı, eşi 20-40. gebelik haftasında olan baba adaylarının doğum korkusu düzeyleri ve etkileyen faktörlerin belirlenmesidir.
Yöntem: Araştırma tanımlayıcı tiptedir. Araştırmanın evrenini hastaneye başvuran gebelerin eşleri, örneklemini ise 135 baba adayı oluşturmuştur. Veriler, yüz yüze görüşme tekniği ile Ankara’da bulunan özel bir hastanede toplanmış olup, veri toplamada kişisel bilgi formu ve Babaların Doğum Korkusu Ölçeği (BDKÖ) kullanılmıştır.
Bulgular: Baba adaylarının BDKÖ toplam puan ortalaması 44.77±14.91, doğum süreci alt boyut puan ortalaması 31.22±11.42 ve hastane korkusu alt boyut puan ortalaması 12.65±4.94 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Baba adaylarının doğum korkusu düzeyi, algılanan gelir durumu, eşte kronik hastalık varlığı, bebekte tıbbi sorun varlığı ve gebelik haftasından etkilenmektedir. Ayrıca çoklu doğrusal regresyon analizi sonucunda anlamlı bir regresyon modeli (F4-130=6.654, p<0.001) ve baba adaylarının doğum korkusu ölçeğinden aldıkları toplam puanın yaklaşık %14.4’ünün (R2düzeltilmiş=0.144) bağımsız değişkenler tarafından açıklandığı saptanmıştır.
Sonuçlar: Araştırma sonuçları baba adaylarını orta düzeyde doğum korkusu yaşadığını ve algılanan gelir durumunun, eşin gebelik haftasının, eşte kronik hastalık varlığının ve bebekte tıbbı sorun varlığının yaşanılan doğum korkusu düzeyini etkilediğini göstermektedir.
References
-
Baldwin, S., Malone, M., Sandall, J., & Bick, D. (2018). Mental health and wellbeing during the transition to fatherhood: A systematic review of first time fathers' experiences. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 16(11), 2118–2191. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003773
-
Bergström, M., Rudman, A., Waldenström, U., & Kieler, H. (2013). Fear of childbirth in expectant fathers, subsequent childbirth experience and impact of antenatal education: Subanalysis of results from a randomized controlled trial. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 92(8), 967–973. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.12147
-
Bruno, A., Celebre, L., Mento, C., Rizzo, A., Silvestri, M. C., De Stefano, R., Zoccali, R. A., & Muscatello, M. R. A. (2020). When fathers begin to falter: A comprehensive review on paternal perinatal depression. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(4), 1139. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041139
-
Calpbinici, P., Uzunkaya Öztoprak, P., Terzioğlu, F., & Üstün, Y. (2023). The Fathers’ Fear of Childbirth Scale: A Turkish validity and reliability study. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 41(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2023.2225084
-
Colciago, E., Brown, A. M., Ornaghi, S., Antolini, L., Nespoli, A., Fumagalli, S., & Robinson, A. (2022). The unpredictable nature of labour and birth: A qualitative investigation regarding expectations of Italian parents to-be. Midwifery, 108, 103286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2022.103286
-
Elmir, R., & Schmied, V. (2022). A qualitative study of the impact of adverse birth experiences on fathers. Women and Birth, 35(1), e41–e48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2021.01.005
-
Eriksson, C., Westman, G., & Hamberg, K. (2005). Experiential factors associated with childbirth-related fear in Swedish women and men: A population-based study. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 26(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/01674820400023275
-
Eriksson, C., Westman, G., & Hamberg, K. (2006). Content of childbirth-related fear in Swedish women and men: Analysis of an open-ended question. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 51(2), 112–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmwh.2005.08.010
-
Etheridge, J., & Slade, P. (2017). “Nothing’s actually happened to me.”: The experiences of fathers who found childbirth traumatic. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 17(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-017-1259-y
-
Ghaffari, S. F., Elyasi, F., Mousavinasab, S. N., & Shahhosseini, Z. (2021). A systematic review of clinical trials affecting anxiety, stress, and fear of childbirth in expectant fathers. Nursing Open, 8(4), 1527–1537. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.681
-
Ghaffari, S. F., Elyasi, F., Nikbakht, R., & Shahhosseini, Z. (2022). A structural equation model analysis of the relationship between maternal fear of childbirth and expectant fathers’ fear of childbirth: The mediating role of fathers’ depression, anxiety, and stress. Brain and Behavior, 12(12), e2802. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2802
-
Ghaffari, S. F., Sharif Nia, H., Elyasi, F., Shahhosseini, Z., & Mohammadpoorsaravimozafar, Z. (2021). Design and psychometric evaluation of the Fathers’ Fear of Childbirth Scale: A mixed method study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21(1), 222. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03696-7
-
Griffith, D. M., Jaeger, E. C., Pepperman, P., Chustz, K. A., Frazier, D., & Wilson, A. (2025). Expectant and new fathers say they need resources and sources of support. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 25(1), 205. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07290-z
-
Hildingsson, I., Johansson, M., Fenwick, J., Haines, H., & Rubertsson, C. (2014). Childbirth fear in expectant fathers: Findings from a regional Swedish cohort study. Midwifery, 30(2), 242–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2013.01.001
-
Keramat, A., Malary, M., Moosazadeh, M., Bagherian, N., & Rajabi-Shakib, M. R. (2021). Factors influencing stress, anxiety, and depression among Iranian pregnant women: The role of sexual distress and genital self-image. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03575-1
-
Longworth, H. L., & Kingdon, C. K. (2011). Fathers in the birth room: What are they expecting and experiencing? A phenomenological study. Midwifery, 27(5), 588–594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2010.06.013
-
Moran, E., Bradshaw, C., Tuohy, T., & Noonan, M. (2021). The paternal experience of fear of childbirth: An integrative review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3), 1231. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031231
-
Najafi, Z., Jenani, P., Mirghafourvand, M., Rezaie, M., Khalili, A., Ghanbari-Homaie, S., & Abdouli, N. (2024). Fear of birth among Iranian fathers of full-term and preterm neonates: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 30(3), 288–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2023.10.011
-
Nilsson, C., Hessman, E., Sjöblom, H., Dencker, A., Jangsten, E., Mollberg, M., Patel, H., Sparud-Lundin, C., Wigert, H., & Begley, C. (2018). Definitions, measurements, and prevalence of fear of childbirth: A systematic review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 18(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-018-1659-7
-
Pang, M. W., Lee, T. S., Leung, A. K., Leung, T. Y., Lau, T. K., & Leung, T. N. (2007). A longitudinal observational study of preference for elective caesarean section among nulliparous Hong Kong Chinese women. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 114(5), 623–629. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01267.x
-
Rashidi, F., Mirghafourvand, M., & Malakouti, J. (2023). Fear of childbirth and its relationship with anxiety and depression among Iranian fathers: A descriptive study. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 41(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2023.2256785
-
Schachman, K. A. (2010). Online fathering: The experience of first-time fatherhood in combat-deployed troops. Nursing Research, 59(1), 11–17. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0b013e3181c3ba1d
-
Schytt, E., & Hildingsson, I. (2011). Physical and emotional self-rated health among Swedish women and men during pregnancy and the first year of parenthood. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 2(2), 57–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2010.12.003
-
Serçekuş, P., Vardar, O., & Özkan, S. (2020). Fear of childbirth among pregnant women and their partners in Turkey. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 24, 100501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2020.100501
-
Vischer, L. C., Heun, X., Steetskamp, J., Hasenburg, A., & Skala, C. (2020). Birth experience from the perspective of the fathers. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 302(5), 1297–1303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-020-05714-z
-
Xue, B., Wang, X., Chen, H., Redding, S. R., Wei, W., & Ouyang, Y. Q. (2024). Fear of childbirth and influencing factors of expectant fathers in China: a cross-sectional study. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 29(8), 1411–1424. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2024.2329913