In this article you’ll learn all about tokophobia – the phobia of pregnancy. We discuss its classifications, symptoms, who can get it, how it’s developed, and how to manage it.
What is tokophobia?
Tokophobia is the medical term for the fear of pregnancy. It has two classifications – primary and secondary.
Primary tokophobia is the fear of childbirth in women who have not experienced pregnancy.
Secondary tokophobia is the fear of childbirth in women who have undergone a particularly traumatic event in their previous pregnancy.
Pregnancy nightmares are completely normal. Pregnancy is a huge event and, though you might have an airtight birth plan, you can never know exactly what will happen. Many people suffer from a crippling phobia of pregnancy.
Symptoms of tokophobia
Symptoms of tokophobia can look a lot like anxiety and may even go overlooked or dismissed as pregnancy jitters. Signs and symptoms include:
– Sleep disturbances
– Panic attacks
– Extreme and irrational fear of birth defects
– Worries about stillbirth or maternal death
– Thoughts about abortion or actions leading to abortion, and
– Insistence of a Caesarean section delivery.
What causes tokophobia?
The fear of childbirth and labour may start as early as the adolescent years. It may be triggered by birth “horror stories” or personal experiences such as the death of a relative during childbirth.
Scientists believe that tokophobia may also be caused by anxiety disorders, hormonal fluctuations, psychosocial factors, and mistrust in the medical system.
Tokophobia doesn’t just affect women. Studies show that around 13% of soon-to-be fathers suffer from a phobia of childbirth. Tokophobia in males is seldom addressed since men might not speak up about their concerns and anxieties to their partners, much less to a medical professional. If you are a male with tokophobia, your fears are no less valid than anyone else’s so make sure that you discuss your concerns with your partner and health care provider.
How to overcome tokophobia
Here are some tips on how you can overcome an intense fear of pregnancy, and having your baby.
Get the support you need
Many women who are scared of giving birth can approach their relatives or friends for support. You can also take a support class or speak to a professional if you feel that you need that extra boost of happy hormones to get through your pregnancy. Make sure though that you remind your support group not to bring up any gratuitous pregnancy horror stories.
Write down your birth plan and concerns
A birth plan helps you make your preferences known to your partner and doctor. It’s also a good thing to jot down details that make you anxious so that you can bring them up on your next check-up. Getting all your concerns out helps you adjust your plans and make better preparations.
Speak to a pregnancy counsellor
Your doctor can discuss the nitty-gritty of labour and childbirth, but your pregnancy counsellor will help you process this information so that you benefit from it mentally.
Your counsellor works to help you express your feelings, address underlying fears and emotions, and set practical expectations for yourself.
At Safe Place Therapy, we’re committed to helping with men’s counselling, women’s counselling and relationship counselling. We can help you find your inner peace and the strength to face your fear of having a baby.
