Fear of childbirth is shaping what families look like
Many women are worried or scared about birth and pregnancy, with 1 in 5 women experiencing fear around childbirth. But for some, this fear doesn’t fade after their baby arrives.
A recent study looked into the lasting impact that fear of childbirth can have on women who’ve already given birth. The researchers explored how these feelings shape the lives of eight women long after they’ve experienced pregnancy and birth.
Through a series of interviews, mothers opened up about how their fears of giving birth again were stopping them from expanding their families. Despite wanting more children, fear of childbirth was making these women unsure whether to try for further pregnancies.
Is fear of pregnancy stopping me from expanding my family?
This fear can lead women to feel stressed, low, struggle to sleep, experience nightmares, and worry about their family’s future.
It can be difficult to weigh up nine months of potential suffering and the risk of a traumatic birth against a strong desire to have another child, especially if you want to give your child a sibling.
Are my past birth experiences fuelling my fears?
Many factors contribute to fear of childbirth. Some of us are fearful before our first pregnancy, but negative experiences during pregnancy and birth can make things worse or trigger new fear.
During such a vulnerable time, women want to feel understood and listened to. If healthcare professionals violate this trust, it can have a real emotional impact.
Is it normal to want more control during childbirth?
Some women have strong feelings about how they want to give birth. While natural birth comes with its own benefits, cesarean section is seen as being safer or more controlled by some women.
Unfortunately, planned cesareans are rarely granted for fear of childbirth alone which can make women feel even more out of control.
Why don’t healthcare professionals understand me and my pregnancy?
We are all individuals. Although pregnancy and childbirth is a shared situation, every woman has a unique experience. We each have our wants, thoughts, and feelings; what works for another woman might not work for you.
Maternity care can be quite inflexible and standardized which adds to the feelings of not being understood.
Do I need professional support even if I’m not pregnant?
Fear of childbirth isn’t just a pregnancy issue, it can affect women throughout their whole reproductive life.
Sadly, most of the support is tailored to pregnant women. Getting help often relies on reaching out to healthcare professionals which can be hard if you’re struggling. Standardized help may not be offered at the best time or can be too spaced out to be useful.
Women need to be able to access effective support whenever they need it.
That’s why we’ve created Omaia.
Where does Omaia fit in with fear of pregnanacy?
Omaia is designed to support women dealing with fear around pregnancy and childbirth.
The app offers low-friction psychological support whenever women want it: before pregnancy, during pregnancy, throughout childbirth, and after the birth.
Support is personalized to each woman’s needs, whether that’s offering daily check-ins, guided coping tools, exploring and dealing with worst-case scenarios, or guidance towards healthcare pathways when required.
Maternity care shouldn’t be generic. With earlier, more flexible support, Omaia helps women rebuild confidence in their bodies, their care, and their decisions.
We're working towards a future where fear doesn't stand in the way of the families women want.
Source:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12978-025-02261-1