What Is Tocophobia? Experts Discuss The Severe Fear Of Childbirth

For many expectant parents, the prospect of childbirth can be a daunting one. But some experience the fear more acutely, so much so that it becomes a phobia. Tocophobia — "a severe fear or dread of childbirth", according to the Guardian — is reportedly on the rise, and some experts suggest that birth stories shared on social media could be contributing to the increase. Let's look a little closer: what is tocophobia, and just how common is it?

A 2017 study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica indicated that 14% of pregnant people experience tocophobia (also spelled tokophobia); what's more, the study concluded that the prevalence has increased since 2000. The Pan-London Perinatal Mental Health Network breaks tocophobia down into two forms: primary tocophobia, or a "longstanding" fear of childbirth, and secondary tocophobia, which results from a traumatic childbirth experience. Secondary tocophobia is more common, the network says, and is often considered a form of post-traumatic stress disorder.

A previous traumatic birth isn't the only risk factor that might make someone more likely to develop tocophobia. A person might have experienced medical trauma unrelated to childbirth, or witnessed somebody else's difficult birth experience. They might have miscarried, given birth to a stillborn baby, or lost a child soon after giving birth. People with pre-existing mental health conditions are at greater risk of developing tocophobia, as well as those with a history of abuse or assault.

At the British Science Festival earlier this month, University of Hull midwifery lecturer Catriona Jones pinpointed another potential trigger of tocophobia: social media. "You just have to Google childbirth and you’re met with a tsunami of horror stories," Jones said, as the Guardian reports. She added, "I wouldn’t say social media is leading [people] to be afraid of childbirth, but it plays a part."

Professor Louise Kenny, executive pro-vice-chancellor at the University of Liverpool, supported Jones' statement, telling the Guardian that some people are “predisposed to developing a phobia due to stories taken out of context or experiences that are graphic. It is not a major cause of tocophobia but a recognised one."

So how can a typical apprehension of childbirth be distinguished from tocophobia? The Pan-London Perinatal Mental Health Network lists symptoms including "distress and heightened anxiety when a pregnancy is confirmed", as well as fear of pain, harm, or death as a result of childbirth, and increasing anxiety and distress towards the end of pregnancy. People with tocophobia might think about terminating their pregnancy as a result of their fear, or experience intrusive thoughts or flashbacks from a previous difficult birth. They might also avoid talking or thinking about the pregnancy or impending birth altogether.

If those symptoms sound familiar, the Pan-London Perinatal Mental Health Network recommends speaking to your consultant obstretrician or midwife, who should refer you to a mental health professional, specialist mental health midwife, or consultant midwife. You might be offered a form of psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); those experiencing PTSD from a former traumatic experience might be referred for eye movement desensitisation reprocessing or trauma-focused CBT. Your healthcare team might also suggest steps including creating a thorough birth plan, or visiting the labour ward in advance.

Most importantly? Don't hesitate to speak to someone about it: as the network stresses, "the earlier you can get help the better."