Fear of childbirth linked to longer labor

Updated:

© iStockphoto.com / Olivier Lantzendörffer

HealthMore>>
Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction
Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction
Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.More >>
Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.More >>
U.S. teen birth rate plummets
U.S. teen birth rate plummets
Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.More >>
Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.More >>
Too few kids use fast-food calorie info
Too few kids use fast-food calorie info
Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.More >>
Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.More >>
American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress
American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress
The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.More >>
The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.More >>
Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters
Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters
In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.More >>
In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.More >>
More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist
More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist
Over the last decade, the number of American children who die each year awaiting an organ donation dropped by more than half, new research reveals. And increasing numbers of children are receiving donor organs.More >>
Over the last decade, the number of American children who die each year awaiting an organ donation dropped by more than half, new research reveals. And increasing numbers of children are receiving donor organs.More >>
Americans still making unhealthy choices
Americans still making unhealthy choices
The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.More >>
The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.More >>
Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health
Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health
The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.More >>
The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.More >>
Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens
Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens
When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study. More >>
When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study. More >>
Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma
Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma
Urban elementary school children with poorly controlled asthma are likely to experience sleep problems and suffer academically, new research indicates.More >>
Urban elementary school children with poorly controlled asthma are likely to experience sleep problems and suffer academically, new research indicates.More >>

WEDNESDAY, June 27 (HealthDay News) -- Women who are afraid to give birth tend to have longer labor than women who are more relaxed about the process, new research suggests.

Researchers in Norway found women fearful of giving birth spent about an hour and a half longer in labor than other women (about eight hours compared to six and a half hours).

Fear of giving birth was also associated with a greater likelihood of an instrumental vaginal delivery or an emergency Cesarean section.

The study was published June 27 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Researchers surveyed more than 2,200 women pregnant women, about half of whom were going to be first-time mothers, about their attitudes toward childbirth. About 7.5 percent of the women were afraid of childbirth.

Even after taking other factors into account that could prolong labor, such as epidural anesthesia and labor induction, labor for the women who feared childbirth was longer than for more relaxed women.

But, the study authors pointed out that even though women who feared childbirth labored longer, 89 percent managed to deliver vaginally, compared to 93 percent of women who did not fear giving birth.

"Fear of childbirth seems to be an increasingly important issue in obstetric care," study co-author Samantha Salvesen Adams, of Akershus University Hospital, said in a journal news release.

"We found a link between fear of childbirth and longer duration of labor," Adams said. "Generally, longer labor duration increases the risk of instrumental vaginal delivery and emergency caesarean section. However, it is important to note that a large proportion of women with a fear of childbirth successfully had a vaginal delivery and therefore elective Cesarean delivery should not be routinely recommended."

Experts note that while this study found an association between fear of childbirth and longer labor, it didn't prove that anxiety about giving birth caused the longer labors.

More information

The U.S. National Institutes of Health provides more information on childbirth.

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.

Fear of childbirth linked to longer labor - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Fear of childbirth linked to longer labor

Video Gallery

Home birth guidelines

Nervous new moms

Teen birth rates in U.S.

IVF birth rates

HealthMore>>

Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction

Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction

U.S. teen birth rate plummets

U.S. teen birth rate plummets

Too few kids use fast-food calorie info

Too few kids use fast-food calorie info

American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress

American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress

Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters

Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters

More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist

More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist

Americans still making unhealthy choices

Americans still making unhealthy choices

Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health

Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health

Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens

Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens

Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma

Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma