Study: Tokophobia Makes Women Take Extreme Steps Avoid Pregnancy

A recent study estimated that 14 per cent of women worldwide have pregnancy phobia. The fear is called Tokophobia and is different from feeling merely nervous about pregnancy or childbirth. Even though giving birth is a natural process, many women feel afraid at the prospect of a child growing inside them. They just can't wrap their heads around the fact that another person is growing inside them.

Avoid sex

Women with Tokophobia can go to extreme lengths to avoid pregnancy, including having abortions, because they are too scared to go through with the pregnancy.

Samantha, a 26-year-old woman, tells the BBC that she goes for weekly therapy to try and get over the fear. She now avoids sex as much as possible. She has even thought about taking the pill behind her husband’s back

“I just can’t wrap my mind around a breathing, growing, human kicking my lungs and ribs. I don’t trust my body to go through it, even though I know that’s what it’s made to do.”

Linked to anxiety disorders

Tokophobia is linked to anxiety disorders. Gynaecologists say that a lot of women with Tokophobia have been subject to abuse, may have had depression or gynaecological problems.

"Loss of control" and "previous traumatic experiences" have a "serious detrimental effect on women’s perceived capacity to give birth vaginally", says the British Journal of Midwifery.

Dr Patick O’ Brien, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, says that women can recover from Tokophobia. “Women should be offered counselling, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, to help them address their fears, and be given the opportunity to talk through their concerns with their doctor." 

For women who are suffering from this phobia, know that you aren’t alone. Talking to other women about it, and going to therapy, can help reduce the fear of pregnancy.

Also Read: Study Reveals 75% Women Don’t Have Healthy Weight During Pregnancy