The Relationship between Health Anxiety and Prenatal Distress with Choosing the Type of Childbirth in Pregnant Women during Covid-19 Outbreaks in Iran

Abstract Background This study investigates the relationship between health anxiety and prenatal distress with choosing the type of childbirth in pregnant women during Covid-19 outbreaks in Iran.Methods This is a descriptive-analytical study on 200 nulliparous pregnant women who referred to health centers of Iran to perform routine pregnancy care. Convenient sampling was used, and each nulli pari pregnant woman who tended to enter the study was enrolled. The questionnaires used in this work were demographic and midwifery information questionnaire, health anxiety index-short form (HAI 18), and Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (PDQ). After filing out the above questionnaires, two questions regarding the type of delivery selected by them before and during epidemic of covid-19 and the reason of the selection were asked from the participants and were recorded. The information was analyzed in the final stage using SPSS software version 22.Results In general, 200 nulliparous pregnant women participated in this study. A significant statistical association was observed between choosing the type of delivery before and during the covid-19 pandemic (P=0.016). Women health anxiety showed significant statistical difference among various groups (P=0.0001). The highest score was 35.06±07.34 which was observed in the group that choose vaginal delivery at first but they selected cesarean section during the covid-19 pandemic. Mean score of prenatal distress score showed significant statistical difference among various groups (P=0.0001). The highest score was 20.06±4.72 which was observed in the group that choose cesarean before and during the covid-19 pandemic. Conclusion The current study showed the higher health anxiety and Prenatal distress in pregnant women, the significantly higher probable of selecting cesarean as delivery method. Therefore, due to the increase in pregnant women Health anxiety and Prenatal distress during the Covid-19 epidemic and its effect on the choice of delivery, planning to promote the mental health of pregnant women is very important.