Evaluation of the reasons of fear in spinal anesthesia during cesarean section

Spinal anesthesia is a type of neuraxial anesthesia that brings ample benefits. However, due to the fear of this type of anesthesia, many pregnant people refuse to experience it. In this study, we aimed to investigate the levels and causes of fear of spinal anesthesia in candidates for cesarean section.

The current study is a cross-sctional study performed on 67 patients undergoing cesarean section who were referred to the operation room of Shariati Hospital, in Tehran from September 2018 to September 2019. Matthey questionnaire, which consisted of three sections (demographic information, history of spinal anesthesia and fear of anesthesia), was filled out by candidates and after collecting information, the data were analyzed by SPSS software.

Pain over the surgery showed a significant relationship with the history of spinal anesthesia in 4 pregnant women (12.9%) and in 25 women (65.8%) without a history of anesthesia (P<0.0001). In addition, the fear of being awake and looking at the cesarean section during surgery was significant in 7 patients (22.6%) with a history of spinal anesthesia and 18 patients (47.4%) without a history of disease (P<0.0001). Fear of anesthesia needle was also significantly observed in 7 patients (23.3%) with a history of spinal anesthesia and 23 patients (60.5%) with no history of spinal anesthesia (P<0.0001). Fear of back injury was seen in 9 candidates (29%) of patients with a history of spinal anesthesia and in 23 patients (60.5%) of patients without a history of anesthesia (P<0.033). The results of our study also showed a significant relationship between the history of general anesthesia and fear of nausea and vomiting (P<0.046) as well as fear of anesthesia needles (P<0.001).

Patients with a history of spinal anesthesia were significantly less afraid of feeling pain during surgery, seeing surgery, spinal anesthesia needles, and spinal impairments. Moreover, patients with a history of general anesthesia were significantly more afraid of spinal anesthesia, nausea and vomiting than others.