Resumo

MOLINA-FERNANDEZ, Inmaculada de et al. Anxiety and fear in expectant mothers before childbirth: The importance of screening. Revista Portuguesa de Enfermagem de Saúde Mental [online]. 2015, n.13, pp.17-24. ISSN 1647-2160.

Physiologically and emotionally, pregnancy is perceived differently by different women and can depend on Pregnancy is perceived in different manners by each woman and might depend on their personality and the health-care healthcare context. Just before childbirth just before delivery, some expectant mothers may feel anxious and afraid, anxiety and fear feelings that some authors have associated with unfavourable obstetric and neonatal results. The aims of the study were to evaluate various measuring instruments and to understand the levels of anxiety and fear of childbirth in 78 expectant mothers, with particular reference to the Apgar score, the weight of the newborn, the perception of the pain involved in childbirth and the type of delivery. The variable anxiety was measured with Spielberg’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and a visual analogue scale, which was also used to measure the perception of pain and its relief. Fear was measured using an ad-hoc questionnaire. The results showed that 30% of women presented a high level of anxiety. This did not affect the type of delivery(p value: .983) or the Apgar score at birth (p value: .869). However, it was significantly associated with a greater fear of pain (p value: .041) and a worse assessment of treatment for pain relief. Appropriate and systematic screening for anxiety with a simple, easy-to-use analogical visual scale would allow matrons and nurses to identify women who may need specific care to reduce their levels of anxiety and fear, and, therefore, improve their experience of childbirth.

Palavras-chave : Anxiety; Fear; Pain; Childbirth.

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