A large review of global data found that a high number of women experience anxiety before undergoing a cesarean delivery. The study looked at nearly 4,000 women and found that about 66.7% of them reported feeling anxious before their surgery. This high rate suggests that anxiety is a common experience for many women in this situation.
Certain factors were linked to a higher risk of feeling anxious. For example, women who were having their first baby or those with higher levels of education showed a higher risk of anxiety. Interestingly, the study found no difference in anxiety levels between elective and emergency cesarean surgeries. While the data showed a slight downward trend in anxiety over time, the overall numbers remain high.
Because this study used observational data, it shows a link between these factors and anxiety rather than a direct cause. The results also showed a lot of variation between different countries and income levels. These findings suggest that many women may need support and screening for anxiety before surgery, regardless of how quickly the procedure needs to happen.
