Obstetric and psychological characteristics of women choosing epidural analgesia during labour: A cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate the obstetric and psychological characteristics of women who opt to use epidural analgesia (EDA) during labour and the impact of participating in labour preparation courses on women's decisions to use EDA.

Design

Longitudinal cohort study.

Setting

Akershus University Hospital, Norway.

Population

2596 women with singleton pregnancies and intended vaginal delivery.

Methods

Data were collected using two self-completed questionnaires at pregnancy weeks 17 and 32. Fear of childbirth was assessed by the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ). Symptoms of anxiety were measured by the Hopkins Symptom Check List (SCL-25) and depression by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Obstetric and socio-demographic informatio

SUBMITTER: Sitras V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5646833 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature