Erschienen in:
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 96 (2017) 4, Seite 438-446
Sprache:
Englisch
DOI:
10.1111/aogs.13091
ISSN:
0001-6349;
1600-0412
Entstehung:
Anmerkungen:
Beschreibung:
AbstractIntroductionThe objective of this study was to calculate costs associated with severe fear of childbirth (FOC) during pregnancy and peripartum by comparing two groups of women expecting their first child and attending an ordinary antenatal program; one with lowFOCand one with severeFOC.Material and methodsIn a prospective case–control cohort study one group with lowFOC[Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W‐DEQ) sum score ≤60,n= 107] and one with severeFOC(W‐DEQ≥85,n= 43) were followed up till 3 months postpartum and included in the analysis. Medical records were assessed and medical parameters were mapped. Mean costs for healthcare consumption and sick leave during pregnancy were calculated and compared.ResultsWhen means were compared between the groups, the group with severeFOChad more visits for psychosocial reasons (p= 0.001) and more hours on sick leave (p= 0.03) during pregnancy, and stayed longer at the maternity ward (p= 0.04). They also more seldom had normal spontaneous deliveries (p= 0.03), and more often had an elective cesarean section on maternal request (p= 0.02). Postpartum, they more often than the group with lowFOCpaid visits to the maternity clinic because of complications (p= 0.001) and to the antenatal unit because of adverse childbirth experiences (p= 0.001). The costs for handling women with severeFOCwas 38% higher than those for women with lowFOC.ConclusionWomen with severeFOCgenerate considerably higher perinatal costs than women with lowFOCwhen handled in care as usual.