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https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/where-can-i-give-birth/#hospital-birth

If your pregnancy deviates from normal or you have an underlying health condition or
anddeemed to be in an at risk group for pregnancy and labour e.g raised BMI or over 37
years old then you will probably be assigned to consultant care and a hospital birth.

However once the consultant team have seen you antenatally they will assess you
individually and you may be transferred back to Midwifery led care for the rest of your
pregnancy.

If you are unhappy about your care pathway or want to discuss this further make contact
with the consultant midwife at your local unit who will discuss your wishes and make a plan
with you

Anxiety and fear in pregnancy

During pregnancy many women find that at times they feel worried or scared of giving
birth. Feelings of worry or nervousness may increase as the due date gets nearer. “How
will I know I am in labour?” “How big will my baby be?” How long will the birth take ? “How
will I behave during labour?” “Will I have a midwife I know?”

These things are uncertain and for some people may be the cause of anxiety. Some
women find that they actually feel very fearful. Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by
the belief that birth is dangerous or causes severe pain. Sometimes fear can take over
your thoughts and dreams, stopping you from enjoying life.
Fear of birth can range from having understandable fears, right through to being very
fearful and Tocophobia.
(see below)

• 20% of mums feel fearful during pregnancy, especially if it is their first baby.
• 13% of women delay becoming pregnant because of fear.
• 6% of women find this fear disabling, taking over their life.

What is Tocophobia?
Some women dread and avoid childbirth even when they desperately want a baby. It can
begin before becoming pregnant for the first time. In severe cases women have been
unable to continue with the pregnancy

What causes fear of childbirth?
There are many reasons why women may be fearful of giving birth, but here are a few
common causes:
• Learned fear: Negative ideas about periods, sex, pregnancy and birth learnt while
growing up can affect confidence in our bodies and how they work. Difficult birth
stories are retold more than easier ones. Increased medical management of
pregnancy and birth can sometimes add to our belief that birth is dangerous.
• General anxiety: You may be prone to anxiety, “a bit of a worrier”. Others in your
family may also be worriers.
• Trauma and abuse: negative childhood experiences can be factors. Those who
have previously had a traumatic experience giving birth may also suffer.