GOLD Learning Speakers

There is growing evidence that fear of childbirth (FOC) is an issue of importance for women’s emotional and psychological well-being. For some women symptoms are severe and disabling. A previous traumatic birth experience, sexual abuse, and traumatic childbirth stories of others and media may contribute to fear of giving birth. Fear of childbirth has negative implications for women’s experiences of pregnancy and birth including longer labour, increased likelihood of augmentation of labour, emergency caesarean section, and elective caesarean section. Access to services for women with fear of childbirth appears to be inequitable and various approaches and interventions are used. Assessment tools are available and readily implemented in practice to identify women fearful of childbirth and the severity of fear feelings, however a trauma informed approach to talking with fearful women is essential to discover the factors related to the fear and the commencement of a therapeutic relationship. There is some evidence about interventions to help women fearful of childbirth. The webinar will assist midwives and nurses working in maternity know how to respond to fearful women and provide practical information about what to do, what to say and what not to say to support women experiencing fear of childbirth.