Childbirth related fears and psychological birth trauma in younger and older age adolescents

AimThe aim of this study is to explore childbirth fears on psychological birth trauma (PBT) by adolescent age.BackgroundAmong adults parity and intrapartum fears including fear of dying, loss of control, pain, and limited support have been associated with negative birth appraisal and symptoms of traumatic stress, defined here as PBT.MethodsThis cross-sectional study surveyed a convenience sample of 201 adolescents at a large, county hospital.ResultsOver 75% of adolescents perceived fear. Younger and older adolescents, similar in fears, were distinguished only by parity. The effects of parity, overall rating of fear, and father of baby absence were found to vary by age on birth appraisal; however, only parity varied by age on IES scores.ConclusionsAll age adolescents can be fearful and will benefit with childbirth education and labor support to help reduce fears and subsequent PBT.