For some women, uneasiness and fear about pregnancy and childbirth are normal, especially when they feel unprepared or still have personal goals to achieve. However, when this fear becomes overwhelming, it may be a sign of tokophobia.

Just like other specific phobias, tokophobia can lead to severe anxiety and stress or intense fear, that are difficult to control.

Signs and Symptoms of Tokophobia

Tokophobia is a specific phobia related to pregnancy and childbirth that can cause intense fear and anxiety. These emotions may appear long before pregnancy or as the due date approaches. According to Choosing Therapy, this phobia is usually accompanied by a number of physical and emotional symptoms, such as:

• Intense fear or anxiety when imagining or thinking about labor and delivery

• Feeling anxious when they are approaching childbirth

• Realizing that the fear is excessive or irrational, yet they still are not able to control it

• Avoiding vaginal birth by requesting a cesarean section, but still feeling very anxious about the procedure

• Anxiety that affects other aspects of life, including work, relationships, social activities, and daily routines

• Persistent anxiety that lasts more than six months

• Anxiety that occurs together with other mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Panic attacks

Causes of Tokophobia

The exact cause of tokophobia in women has not been clearly identified. Research suggests that this condition may develop from a combination of accumulated worries, fears, distressing experiences, and prejudices related to pregnancy or childbirth that keep growing.

Even so, certain factors are known to increase the risks of developing a phobia of pregnancy and childbirth. According to Verywell Family, some of these include:

• Medical Fears

Women with primary tokophobia often have deep fears related to medical situations in general, such as fear of doctors, hospitals, pain, loss of control, or invasive medical procedures.

These fears may arise from previous negative experiences, including malpractice or a loss of trust in healthcare professionals.

• Personal Trauma

Fear of pregnancy and childbirth can also stem from traumatic sexual experiences in the past, whether in childhood or adulthood.

• Labor Trauma

Tokophobia may also appear after a distressing labor experience, such as miscarriage, abortion, or a previous traumatic delivery. This fear often resemble PTSD.

• History of Anxiety and Depression

A previous history of anxiety or depression of other causes can also increase the risk of tokophobia, and this may contribute to prenatal depression.

Treatments and Therapy

Tokophobia can be managed and treated similar to the treatment of other specific phobias. Healthcare professionals may prescribe medications to help reduce anxiety, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), benzodiazepines, or beta blockers.

The choice of treatment plan will be tailored to each individual’s condition after careful consultation and assessment by a psychiatrist. In addition to medication, various forms of therapy may be recommended, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, or exposure therapy.

The most effective way to address tokophobia is to consult a psychiatrist who can guide you in understanding your fears and preparing you mentally for pregnancy and delivery. It is also important to continue regular check-ups with your obstetrician so that the fetal growth and development can be monitored, and plans for a safe and healthy delivery can be made.

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