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Tokophobia is the fear of pregnancy and childbirth.
Overview
Pregnancy and childbirth are major events in many womens lives.
While it can be a time of great joy, it can also be a source ofstressandanxiety.
Jessica Lee Photography / Getty Images
Women often worry about the normal pain of childbirth and about the possibility of something going wrong.
These are all normal concerns that almost all pregnant women experience to some degree.
Symptoms of tokophobia can include sleep disturbances, panic attacks, nightmares, andavoidance behaviors.
Other symptoms might include:
Women may sometimes avoid any sexual activity out of fear of becoming pregnant.
Men can also experience tokophobia.
Causes
Researchers have suggested a number of explanations to account for the development of tokophobia.
There are two different types of tokophobia:
Primary tokophobiaoccurs in women who have never experienced birth.
It may begin during adolescence, although it can also occur after a woman has become pregnant.
It may also be seen in girls and women who have been sexually assaulted or raped.
Medical exams during pregnancy and childbirth may also trigger flashbacks of the original trauma.
Secondary tokophobiaoccurs in women who have previously experienced pregnancy and birth.
It is often the result of traumatic labor and birth.
It’s unclear just how common tokophobia may be.
Fear of childbirth involves a continuum of fearful feelings and thoughts related to giving birth.
Tokophobia vs. PTSD
Anestimated3% of women developposttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)following childbirth.
This rate goes up among women in high-risk groups.
Symptoms of PTSD following birth can include flashbacks, hypervigilance, and nightmares about the event.
Women are sometimes diagnosed with secondary tokophobia following traumatic childbirth when they actually have symptoms of PTSD.
It is also not uncommon for postnatal PTSD or tokophobia to be misdiagnosed as postpartum depression.
Distinguishing between these diagnoses is important for ensure appropriate and effective treatment.
This can include receiving support from the woman’s obstetrician in coordination with a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Support
Finding sources of social support is important.
For many, simply knowing that there are people who are there to help them can be comforting.
Such support can strengthen women’s sense of self-efficacy and even reduce the number of elective c-sections.
Effective support can occur one-on-one or through support groups.
Having a positive birth experience has also been shown to reduce the fear of childbirth.
Therapy
Cognitive behavior therapyand psychotherapy can also be effective in the treatment of tokophobia.
CBT can be a good choice due to its short-term duration and focus on specific symptoms.
One study looked at the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy treatments in comparison to standard care.
Treatment for tokophobia takes a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating both psychological and obstetric support.
Talking to trusted friends or loved ones can also help.
Knowing that there are people who understand your fears and are there to offer support can help reduce anxiety.
Having a plan and choosing your method of delivery can help you feel more empowered and in control.
Avoid Childbirth Horror Stories"
Hearing such stories can exacerbate your tokophobia.
Instead, seek out good medical information and focus on positive experiences with childbirth.
Be sure to talk to your doctor if you are concerned that you may have symptoms of tokophobia.
Bhatia MS, Jhanjee A.Tokophobia: A dread of pregnancy.Ind Psychiatry J.
2018;10(5): e10420.
doi:10.2196/10420
Primary tokophobia occurs in women who have never experienced birth.
It may begin during adolescence, although it can also occur after a woman has become pregnant.
It may also be seen in girls and women who have been sexually assaulted or raped.
Medical exams during pregnancy and childbirth may also trigger flashbacks of the original trauma.
Secondary tokophobia occurs in women who have previously experienced pregnancy and birth.
It is often the result of traumatic labor and birth.
Bhatia MS, Jhanjee A. Tokophobia: A dread of pregnancy.
doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2017.02.003
Mayor S.Sixty seconds on tokophobia.BMJ.
2018;362:k3933.
