Severe childbirth fear estimates varied widely across studies
The pooled estimate suggests severe fear during pregnancy is common, but differences in questionnaires, cutoffs and countries limit how closely a single figure fits any setting.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review estimated how often pregnant women experienced severe fear of childbirth and examined associated factors. Results varied greatly according to assessment methods and study country. Previous traumatic birth, anxiety or depression symptoms, and limited social support were linked with severe fear, but these associations do not establish causes or identify an effective intervention.
Study estimates were highly inconsistent, especially across assessment tools and cutoffs. The pooled prevalence should not be treated as a precise forecast for a particular country, clinic or individual pregnant person.
What researchers found
Severe fear of childbirth prevalence
No comparator; prevalence among pregnant women. Specific timing within pregnancy was not reported.
How severe fear was defined
Included studies used validated questionnaires with specified cutoffs for severe fear. The review found that the choice of tool and cutoff substantially influenced prevalence estimates, making measurement methods central to interpreting the overall figure.
Associations were not uniform
Women who had not previously given birth and those with unplanned pregnancies had higher odds of severe fear. Study-level analyses found no statistically significant associations with maternal age, gestational age, publication year or the proportion who had not given birth.
The original publication
Global prevalence and associated factors of severe fear of childbirth: a systematic review and Meta-Analysis.
Maghalian M, Alizadeh-Dibazari Z, Mirghafourvand M
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41483192
- Record checked
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