Maternal and Pediatric Nutrition
Open Access

Abstract

An Exploratory Study to Assess the Factors Causing Anxiety among Primigravida Planned for Normal Vaginal Delivery and Caesarean Section Admitted at Mata Kaushalya Hospital, Patiala, Punjab

Raksha G, Anjali T and Kirna T

Background of the study: Primigravida mothers are those who conceived for the first time. Thus, they need extra care and special attention, acceptance of their behavior, sincere praise and encouragement and protection which will ease them aiding to a healthy outcome. Tension and stress resulting from pregnancy crisis and labor increase when the mother is hospitalized, which is associated with stressful situations and factors that affect pain perception during labor ultimately leading to increased anxiety. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors causing anxiety among primigravida planned for normal vaginal delivery and caesarean section.

Objective: To assess the level of anxiety among primigravida planned for NVD and Caesarean section. To compare the anxiety level among primigravida planned for NVD and Caesarean section. To assess the factors causing anxiety among primigravida planned for NVD and caesarean section.

Methodology: An exploratory study was conducted to assess the factors causing anxiety among primigravida planned for normal vaginal delivery and caesarean section admitted at Mata Kaushalya Hospital, Patiala, Punjab where , 40 primigravida women were taken 20 each for normal vaginal delivery and caesarean section in a nonrandomized purposive Sampling technique was used. Willing participants were asked to fill out the self-structured questionnaires. Self-structured 5-point Likert scale was used to assess the level of anxiety among primigravida planned for normal vaginal delivery and cesarean section . For the assessment of factors causing anxiety, a checklist was used.

Results: The study revealed that majority of the NVD and caesarean section were experiencing moderate anxiety. While on comparison, the level was found to be higher in case of Caesarean section with a mean score of 24.85. Whereas the mean score in NVD was 20.35. The anxiety was caused due to different factors both in NVD and caesarean section. Out of the 20 factors that we took into consideration, in NVD 95% cases experienced anxiety due to “stressful life events” and “body changes”. On the other hand, 75% cases of caesarean section experienced anxiety due to “history of anxiety attacks” and “fear of sexual life getting effected.