Episode 8: Fear of Pregnancy and Childbirth: The Lonely Journey

Pregnancy and childbirth can be perceived as a time of excitement and real joy, but for some women and their partners this is not the case, instead their  experience is fuelled with anxiety and an intense fear of pregnancy and giving birth. The question is how can we break down the stigma around fear of pregnancy and childbirth and how can we better support these women and their partners who experience this debilitating fear? Jean Greer is a Midwife based in the Belfast Health Trust. Around 15 years ago, Jean carried out a study to investigate these concerns raised among some women and their partners at The Royal Maternity Jubilee Hospital in Belfast. In this episode Jean talks to Carla about what fear in pregnancy and childbirth really means for some women and their families.