The effect of COVID-19 fear on prenatal distress and childbirth preference in primipara

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of COVID-19 fear on prenatal distress and childbirth preference in primipara. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 206 primipara women in Istanbul between June and December 2021. The data were collected with an information form, “The Fear of COVID-19 Scale” and “The Prenatal Distress Questionnaire.” RESULTS: The median of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale was 14.00 (7–31) and the median of the Prenatal Distress Questionnaire was 10.00 (0–21). A statistically significant positive and weak correlation was found between “The Fear of COVID-19 Scale” and “The Prenatal Distress Questionnaire” (r=0.21; p=0.00). Overall, 75.2% of pregnant women preferred normal (vaginal) delivery. There was no statistically significant relationship between “The Fear of COVID-19 Scale” and childbirth preference (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: It was determined that fear of coronavirus increases prenatal distress. Women should be supported to cope with fear of COVID-19 and prenatal distress, both during the preconceptional and antenatal periods.