Pregnancy is a joyful period, but some women, especially first-timers, experience anxiety and fear of childbirth, known as tokophobia. This fear can cause significant distress and increase obstetric complications. The study aimed to assess the fear of childbirth among first-time mothers in a Kashmir hospital. A quantitative approach was employed to assess primigravida mother fear levels. The study adopted a cross-sectional analytical design with a sample of 110 primigravida women who met inclusion criteria using a non-probability purposive sampling technique, at SKIMS MCH Bemina by using the standardised tool Tokophobia Severity Scale questionnaire. The results revealed that half of subjects (50%) belong to age group 24-29 years; majority of primigravida women (53%) had a gestational age above 36 weeks. Regarding the educational status, about a third (32%) had completed higher secondary education and majority (74%) of the subjects were unemployed. The majority of subjects (64%) belonged to joint families with about four fifth of subjects (79%) residing in rural areas. Monthly income of the 37 percent of subjects was between Rs. 18497-30830. To conclude, 22.7 percent of primigravida women had high fear of childbirth, 39.1 percent moderate fear, and 38.2 percent low fear. Age, gestational age, and education significantly influenced fear levels, unlike other demographics.

Keywords: Fear of childbirth, Primigravida, Pregnancy-related fear