Table 3 Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (Cis) for the event of the development of maternal fear of childbirth (FOC) in the 2nd pregnancy

Event in the first pregnancy

Women with FOC in the first pregnancy included (n = 3606)

aOR* (CI)

FOC in the first pregnancy

14.9 (13.9–16.0)

Delivery mode

Vacuum delivery

1.51 (1.45–1.58)

Emergency caesarean section

4.71 (4.31–5.13)

Unplanned caesarean section

3.65 (3.51–3.80)

Obstetric challenge

Very or extremely preterm delivery (< 31 + 6 weeks of gestation)

0.97 (0.75–1.21)

Uterine curettage or manual placenta removal

1.38 (1.24–1.54)

Third- or fourth-degree tear of the perineum

2.68 (2.41–2.96)

Shoulder dystocia*

2.69 (2.08–3.42)

Adverse neonatal outcome

Neonatal intensive care (in vaginal delivery)

1.10 (0.95–1.08)

Perinatal mortality**

1.89 (1.54–2.30)

Women with FOC in the first pregnancy excluded

Delivery mode

Vacuum delivery

1.69 (1.61–1.77)

Emergency caesarean section

5.27 (4.83–5.75)

Unplanned caesarean section

3.93 (3.77–4.10)

Obstetric challenge

Uterine curettage or manual placenta removal

1.52 (1.36–1.69)

Third- or fourth-degree tear of the perineum

2.99 (2.69–3.31)

Shoulder dystocia

2.82 (2.16–3.62)

Adverse neonatal outcome

Neonatal intensive care (in vaginal delivery)

1.12 (1.05–1.19)

Neonatal mortality*

2.17 (1.77–2.64)

Very or extremely preterm delivery (< 31 + 6 weeks of gestation)

1.12 (0.88–1.42)