The Effect of Pregnancy Follow-Up on Birth Expectations in Primary Health Care

Abstract

Objectives: Pregnancy is a period with physical, emotional and social consequences. These results can be positive, such as joy and happiness, or negative, such as stress and anxiety. Negative consequences can cause fear of childbirth. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in Samsun Education and Research Hospital, Gynecology and Pediatrics service building. In order to observe the effects of pregnancy, pregnant women at the 28th week and above in the third trimester were included in the study. The data obtained with the questionnaire, including questions questioning demographic characteristics and the Wijma birth expectancy scale, were interpreted through the SPSS package program. The study was conducted from April 1 to June 15, 2021. Results: The study was conducted with 1116 pregnant women. The mean age of the pregnant women participating in the study was found to be 27,86±5,44. The mean number of pregnant follow-ups in family medicine during pregnancy was 4,47±2,72. The mean W-DEQ score of the pregnant women participating in the study was found to be 75.89±24,67. Of the pregnant women, 33.69% were pregnant for the first time, 41.67% of the participants had previous experience of normal delivery, and 27.69% of them had previous cesarean delivery experience. In terms of having given birth before, having experienced normal birth before, and having had a previous cesarean delivery, the W-DEQ score does not differ statistically. Conclusion: The fact that pregnancy is a planned and desired pregnancy has a very significant effect on fear of childbirth reveals the importance of issues such as family planning and pregnancy timing. In this respect, free, effective and easily accessible primary care service; is the most important health step where materials for both counseling and contraception can be obtained. © 2022 Ankara Medical Journal.All right reserved.