The subjective anticipation and evaluation of childbirth and anxiety

Abstract

Anticipated evaluations of childbirth and a state anxiety measure were completed by 25 women in the last trimester of pregnancy. These women and an additional 34 were contacted within 1 week after the birth when their actual experiences and state anxiety were measured. Anticipated and actual evaluations of childbirth were significantly correlated. Prenatal anxiety was not related to the actual experience, but actual evaluation was related to satisfaction and anxiety after the birth.