Again in line with findings of others, a lack of general social support was found to predict childbirth fear [14].
Social support is a buffer to stressful situations [42] and without emotional and social support women have a
greater likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth and perinatal depression [43] [44].
Additionally, depression was found to be a risk factor for fear in this study. Women reporting childbirth fear
may experience a vicious cycle whereby lack of social support contributes to depressive symptoms, and these
symptoms diminish their ability to source and maintain social support.