Cecilia Peñacoba-Puente1, Francisco Javier Carmona-Monge2, Dolores Marín-Morales3, Carmen Écija Gallardo4. 1. Department of Psychology, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.. Electronic address: cecilia.penacoba@urjc.es. 2. Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. 3. Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain. 4. Department of Psychology, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To analyze the change of childbirth expectations over the course of pregnancy as well as their relation to socio-demographic and clinical variables. BACKGROUND: The study of expectations in pregnant women is gaining more interest from a biopsychosocial approach because of its consequences on pregnant women's wellbeing. To our knowledge there are no previous studies analyzing the evolution of childbirth expectations over the course of pregnancy. METHODS: Longitudinal study (first trimester and third trimester). Women were evaluated for childbirth expectations in their first trimester (n=285) and third trimester (n=122) of pregnancy. They also completed questionnaires collecting socio-demographic information. RESULTS: Childbirth expectations appear to remain more or less stable over the course of pregnancy, although they tend to become slightly negative at the end of gestation, specifically referring to personal control and delivery circumstances. Multiparity and planned pregnancy are associated with higher positive expectations. CONCLUSION: It seems essential to explore and to try to adjust childbirth expectations to more realistic ones, in order for them to be fulfilled. Midwives and other maternity healthcare providers play a key role in this regard.
PURPOSE: To analyze the change of childbirth expectations over the course of pregnancy as well as their relation to socio-demographic and clinical variables. BACKGROUND: The study of expectations in pregnant women is gaining more interest from a biopsychosocial approach because of its consequences on pregnant women's wellbeing. To our knowledge there are no previous studies analyzing the evolution of childbirth expectations over the course of pregnancy. METHODS: Longitudinal study (first trimester and third trimester). Women were evaluated for childbirth expectations in their first trimester (n=285) and third trimester (n=122) of pregnancy. They also completed questionnaires collecting socio-demographic information. RESULTS: Childbirth expectations appear to remain more or less stable over the course of pregnancy, although they tend to become slightly negative at the end of gestation, specifically referring to personal control and delivery circumstances. Multiparity and planned pregnancy are associated with higher positive expectations. CONCLUSION: It seems essential to explore and to try to adjust childbirth expectations to more realistic ones, in order for them to be fulfilled. Midwives and other maternity healthcare providers play a key role in this regard.
Authors: Francisco Javier Fernández-Carrasco; Gustavo Adolfo Silva-Muñoz; Juana María Vázquez-Lara; Juan Gómez-Salgado; Juan Jesús García-Iglesias; Luciano Rodríguez-Díaz Journal: Healthcare (Basel) Date: 2022-04-13