The effect of the personality traits of pregnant women on the fear of childbirth

Purpose This study was conducted to determine the effects of pregnant women's personality traits on the fear of childbirth (FOC). Design and methods In total, 422 pregnant women who consulted an antenatal polyclinic at a hospital in Turkey were included in this descriptive cross‐sectional study. For data collection, a demographic questionnaire, the Quick Big Five Personality Test, and version A of the Wijma delivery expectancy questionnaire (W‐DEQ A) were used. Findings It was determined that as the scores of two of the personality traits, ie, agreeableness and conscientiousness, increased, planned pregnancies increased. The W‐DEQ A median score was 61.5. The variables affecting the W‐DEQ A score included emotional stability, agreeableness, openness to experience, and conscientiousness. Practice implications Determining the personality traits of pregnant women can contribute to helping individuals with personality traits related to the FOC during the antenatal period.