The name doesn’t even remotely suggest what it means, and if you ask most women if they have tocophobia, they will promptly answer no. But is that really true? The term is unknown, but what causes tocophobia is more common than we think. Tocophobia is an extreme fear of childbirth or pregnancy and is characterized by a true phobia, or feeling of despair when imagining oneself in the situation of a pregnant woman. Unlike that natural feeling of insecurity and fear of what’s to come, this phobia causes genuine anguish for those who experience it. What woman hasn’t found herself thinking about the birth of a child and feeling butterflies in her stomach imagining the pain of labor, the strong contractions and the moment the baby is delivered? And in the case of a cesarean section, the “thick” needle for the anesthesia or the idea of ​​being cut open? “Oh, how unsettling” What will the pain be like, will I be able to handle it?

IMPORTANT: Tocophobia is a topic that is rarely discussed, but deserves extra attention. In many cases, women with the phobia put their own lives and the baby’s life at risk due to the desperation they feel at the thought of giving birth.

These are natural questions for any woman. After all, how can you stay calm during such a delicate moment, knowing from the stories of other women how much they suffer, how painful it is, and how risky it can be? How can you prepare yourself psychologically to face these moments, overcome the fear, and make the dream of motherhood a reality? But these fears are not classified as tocophobia, since to be characterized it must reach the extremes of fear, disturb your peace, and even impair your life achievements.

How to Identify Tocophobia?

Many women who say they have no desire to have children may suffer from tocophobia without even realizing it, as it is a form of the subconscious blocking the desire for motherhood due to these uncontrollable fears. For those who recognize the “dread,” feel a terrifying fear, and in most cases feel inferior to other women for not being able to share the same desire to “give birth” as friends and relatives, these are symptoms of tocophobia. Situations like this can lead a woman to deep depression that apparently has no explanation. It may seem strange for a woman to have such a great fear of something so natural in a woman’s life, such as childbirth, but specialists in the subject indicate that it happens much more than we imagine—on average, 1 in every 6 women suffer from the phobia.

Types of Tocophobia

This excessive fear is classified into two types: primary or secondary tocophobia: In primary tocophobia, there’s no certain age for it to begin; it may start in adolescence due to traumatic family birth experiences or even because one learns of an incident related to a baby’s birth. Movie scenes or even videos on the internet can also shock and cause real panic on the subject. In the case of secondary tocophobia, it happens in women who are already adults and may be a consequence of traumatizing situations like miscarriages, illnesses during pregnancy, or even a birth with obstetric violence that completely blocks the desire to become pregnant and give birth again. These fears and negative thoughts often create feelings of inferiority and an inability to care for children.

Symptoms of Tocophobia

Women with tocophobia present symptoms typical of other types of phobias, such as:

  • Panic attacks;
  • Nausea;
  • Anxiety attacks;
  • Nightmares;
  • Difficulty concentrating;
  • Depressive episodes

There is no way to prevent it, since it arises for many different reasons, each unique. However, if you experience symptoms of tocophobia, it is essential to seek help, and if you recognize these symptoms in someone close to you, help them too! Many women end up giving up the dream of motherhood due to their fears and traumas. In other cases, they decide to not have a biological child and simply adopt a child, avoiding the entire process of pregnancy, labor, and childbirth. However, the most important thing is to seek help, overcome the phobia, and have a healthy life.

I Have Tocophobia and Got Pregnant: What Should I Do?

In cases where women become pregnant and have tocophobia, the problem gets even worse, as panic attacks, depression, and all the other symptoms can interfere with the pregnancy and even affect the baby’s development. Follow-up with a specialist is essential for the woman to be able to overcome her fears and have a calm and healthy pregnancy, and not experience postpartum depression as well. An elective cesarean section is one of the options for these cases! Every woman is capable of being a good mother and experiencing pregnancy and childbirth, which is a unique and indescribable moment. All it takes is proper prenatal care, good specialists’ support, and the love of family! The presence and support of a partner makes all the difference in treatment, and it is even recommended that he actively participate in the therapeutic process and all psychological counseling. Also read: Does Natural Childbirth Hurt a Lot? Debunking Myths Photo: fsHH