Global Trends in Pregnancy Stress and Mode of Delivery Literature: A Web of Science-Based Bibliometric Analysis (1984–2025)

Vollständiger Abstract

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This study aims to examine the global development, research trends, and conceptual framework of studies published between 1984 and 2025 in the field of pregnancy stress and mode of delivery preference using bibliometric methods. Furthermore, it aims to identify the most productive countries, authors, and thematic focuses in the literature. Data for the study were obtained from the Web of Science (WoS) database using designated keywords. A total of 461 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. Bibliometric analyses were conducted using the R-based Biblioshiny (Bibliometrix) software. Within the scope of the analysis, annual publication trends, the most productive authors and countries, citation analysis, and thematic mapping techniques were applied.The results reveal that publications in the field of pregnancy stress and mode of delivery preference have shown a significant increase, particularly since 2021. Within the analyzed period, the number of publications reached its peak in 2025. In terms of countries, China (n=239), Sweden (n=214), and the United States (n=198) emerge as the most productive nations. Türkiye ranks 11th in the global ranking with 52 publications. The thematic mapping results indicate that "vaginal delivery," "childbirth anxiety," "fear of childbirth," and "cesarean section" are the prominent concepts in the research.This bibliometric analysis demonstrates that research on pregnancy stress and mode of delivery preference has gained substantial momentum, especially in recent years. The findings show that scientific production is concentrated in specific countries while global research networks are expanding. The thematic analysis reveals that psychosocial dimensions such as childbirth anxiety and fear of childbirth constitute a major focus in the literature. Türkiye provides a significant contribution, ranking 11th globally. Additionally, it is recommended to increase research focusing on psychosocial support and counseling approaches during the pregnancy process within nursing science.