INFORMMED INvestigation into Fear Of biRth using Mixed Methods Design
Research type
Research Study
Full title
INFORMMED INvestigation into Fear Of biRth using a Mixed Methods Design
IRAS ID
167338
Contact name
Yana Richens
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
A Fear of Birth (FOB) was documented as early as 1858 by the French psychiatrist, Marce.The psychological impact of FOB on pregnant women cannot be underestimated. In some cases FOB is so severe women opt for sterilisation in order to avoid becoming pregnant or, if they become pregnant, choose to terminate the pregnancy. It is reported that approximately between 7-26% of women in Western countries fear childbirth with 6% of women reporting the fear as disabling.
This study aims to gain understanding of the phenomenon of FOB and the associated impact on health professionals practice, clinical outcomes in pregnant women and women's experiences. This is important as currently no screening assessment is undertaken on pregnant women by health care professionals in the UK to assess FOB. If women can be diagnosed accurately at the beginning of a pregnancy then they can be properly supported by health care professionals during pregnancy. This is a recommendation national guidance. Therefore, we are planning to use a screening tool, which is currently being used in Sweden known as the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), to assess FOB in a group of women in thier first pregnancy. Women will also be asked to provide a sample of saliva. The reason for this, is that cortisol a hormone associated with stress is produced by the body and can be found in saliva. Measuring the level of cortisol will enable us to assess how fearful the pregnant woman is and compare this to the VAS. A small group of women who participated in the study will be asked to take part in one-to-one interviews.
The study will be conducted using a multiphase mixed methods research design. It is considered that this approach will provide flexibility in the research process and reduce the constraints and limitations imposed by previous studies using single research methods. Mixed method designs allow researchers to choose research methods that respond to their research questions. In this study methods have been
selected that are considered the most suitable to answering the research questions This has been the right approach, as the findings of each phase of the study have informed the project design and the following part of the study. For example, initally the study was going to be conducted in one hospital. However following the results of an online national survey this was changed. The study now includes two hospital sites. One hospital with a specialised clinic for women with FOB and one hospital with no service provision. This will allow comparison of both hospitals and whether having a specialised clinic has any impact on outcomes for womenREC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0109
Date of REC Opinion
6 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion