Fear of Childbirth, Intolerance of Uncertainty And Pregnancy Experience among Women Who Are Experiencing Pregnancy

Abstract

Child Birth is a natural process however certain fears and uncertainties develop during the process which can complicate the process for the pregnant women. The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between Fear of child birth, Intolerance of Uncertainty and pregnancy experience (hassles and uplifts) among women currently experiencing pregnancy. And to study the impact of demographic variables on fear of child birth, uncertainty and pregnancy experience. It was hypothesized that, there will be a significant relationship between Fear of childbirth, Intolerance of Uncertainty, Pregnancy experience (hassles and uplifts) among women currently experiencing pregnancy. There will be a statistically significant difference among 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy, Months of pregnancy, remarks and comfort level on physical appearance, Planned and Unplanned pregnancy on Fear of childbirth, Intolerance of Uncertainty, Pregnancy experience (hassles and uplifts) among women currently experiencing pregnancy. There will be a statistically significant difference among employment status and educational level on Fear of childbirth, Uncertainty, Pregnancy experience among women currently experiencing pregnancy. Sample was consisted of 150 participants (nulliparous and multiparous). Their age ranged from 18 to 40 years, were approached from hospitals within Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Research measures used were; Demographic data sheet, Wijma Delivery Expectancy questionnaire (Wijma, 1998) and Intolerance of Uncertainty (Carleton & Norton, 2007). Results indicated a positive correlation exists between Fear of Childbirth and Intolerance of Uncertainty. Results showed significant differences among Trimesters on subscales Pregnancy i.e. Hassles as well as among months of pregnancy on subscales Pregnancy i.e. Hassles. Significant differences were found between Positive and negative remarks on physical appearance on intolerance of uncertainty and between planned and Unplanned pregnancy cases on subscale of Pregnancy Experience i.e. Hassles and Intolerance of uncertainty. Additionally, vi Significant differences were found between graduate and undergraduate and working and nonworking women on subscales of Pregnancy Experience i.e. Uplifts, Hassles and on fear of childbirth. With the help of present study results appropriate measures adopted for proper guidance and support of pregnant women can help to resolve/ reduce the issues of fear and uncertainty to some extent to make it an uplifting experience.