Authors: Redshaw, Maggie¹; Martin, Colin²; Rowe, Rachel¹; Hockley, Chris¹

Source: Psychology, Health and Medicine, Volume 14, Number 3, May 2009 , pp. 354-366(13)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

This study describes the measurement characteristics of a short (9-item) multi-dimensional measure of worry about labour and birth, the Oxford Worries about Labour Scale (OWLS-9), and its use in a large-scale study of women's experience of care. The data utilised were from 2960 women who participated in a national survey of a random sample of women who had recently given birth in England. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three sub-scales within the instrument assessing specific concerns about labour pain and distress, pre-labour uncertainty and interventions. The characteristics of each sub-scale revealed good divergent and discriminant validity. Further, the labour and distress subscale score was found to be significantly associated with both self-reported 'baby blues' and self-reported postnatal depression. The study findings suggest that the three sub-scales embedded can be utilised or the OWLS-9 employed as a full-scale instrument. Used antenatally, the OWLS-9 and OWLS sub-scales may offer a relevant and clinically useful measure of worry about labour and birth. Limitations of the study are discussed and the direction of future research indicated.

Keywords: childbirth; pregnancy; worry scale; maternal concerns

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13548500802707159

Affiliations: 1: National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, UK 2: School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery, University of the West of Scotland, Ayrshire, UK

Publication date: 2009-05-01

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