The role of high-risk pregnancy in childbearing tendency in Tehran

Background and purpose: The decreased tendency toward childbearing is considered as one of the most social issues. High-risk pregnancy problems and the fear of recurrence can reduce the desire for re-pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between high-risk pregnancies in childbearing tendency. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was cross-sectional. The statistical population included married women aged 15–49 years with at least one previous pregnancy. 928 women with histories of low-risk and high-risk pregnancy were selected by applying a continuous sampling method. The demographic information form and childbearing desire questionnaire were used. The data were analyzed by SPSS-16 and applying descriptive statistics tests, mean and standard deviation, inferential statistics, regression, independent t-test. Findings: The mean of childbearing tendency in mothers with a history of high-risk pregnancy and low-risk pregnancy were 3.25 ± 5.43 and 8.65 ± 3.96, respectively. Before modifying the intervention variables, the mean scores of childbearing desire were significantly different in mothers with a history of low-risk pregnancy and high-risk pregnancy; it was higher in mothers with a history of low-risk pregnancy (P < 0.001). After modifying the variables of the ideal number of children, the mothers' attitude toward childbearing desire, and the number of natural childbirths, stillbirths, and miscarriages. The difference was not significant (P = 0.263). Conclusion: Childbearing tendency was not different in women with a history of low-risk pregnancy and those with a history of high-risk pregnancy.