Fear of childbirth among pregnant women: a descriptive comparative study in two countries

Fear of childbirth is influenced by multiple factors and demonstrates variation across countries and regions. This study aimed to examine the level of fear of childbirth, birth preferences, and the associated factors among pregnant women in two different Muslim countries. The study between February-July 2020 in Kayseri (373 women) and Gaza (373 women) was conducted with a total of 746 pregnant women applying for pregnancy checks up. The data were collected by using a pregnant information form and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. The majority of pregnant women in Gaza (Palestine) (80.7%) preferred vaginal birth in the current pregnancy, whereas 53.4% of pregnant women in Kayseri (Turkey) preferred cesarean section ( p < 0.001). The mean fear of childbirth score was significantly higher among pregnant women in Gaza (Palestine) (66.08 ± 9.41) than among those in Kayseri (Turkey) (55.82 ± 19.81) ( p < 0.001). In both groups, women whose previous birth was by cesarean section had higher fear of childbirth scores than those whose previous birth was vaginal; however, these differences were not statistically significant ( p < 0.001). Pregnant women in Gaza (Palestine) experienced higher levels of fear of childbirth than those in Kayseri (Turkey), and birth preferences differed significantly between the two groups. These findings highlight the influence of sociocultural and healthcare-related factors on fear of childbirth and emphasize the importance of individualized antenatal assessment and support.