Tokophobia. Woman Health Specialist. Have you ever heard this term before in your life? If you are female and unaware of the term tokophobia, this article is for you. Yes, you are in the right place. Tokophobia is a drastic dread of pregnancy and childbirth. Due to tokophobia, some people take extreme protective steps to avoid getting pregnant. Pregnant individuals might not feel enthusiastic about it and try to conceal their developing baby. Tokophobia is a characteristic fear of a specific state. In most circumstances, this condition affects females, but the odd is that it also involves some males.

Tokophobia
source:pixabay

TYPES OF TOKOPHOBIA:

PRIMARY TOKOPHOBIA: arises in individuals who have never been expectant.

SECONDARY TOKOPHOBIA; occurs after a traumatic event like difficult labor, pregnancy, or stillbirth. 

Women with tokophobia are at more risk of having anxiety and depression. Other people cannot understand why someone worries about pregnancy, as it is biological. Tokophobia is a mental health condition; women must need help and restorative therapy.


AM I AT THE RISK OF TOKOPHOBIA?

If someone already has anxiety and depression or has encountered ravishment, sexual raid, or rape.

If someone has heard terrifying delivery stories from people in your family.

If someone has gynecological problems.

The anxiety of labor pain.

Lack of social support.

IS IT NORMAL TO BE ANXIOUS ABOUT GIVING BIRTH:

Being anxious or worried about pregnancy is natural, as pregnancy and childbirth are major life events in a woman's life. But catching them on someone's nerves is not normal. These things might help;


Tokophobia
   Source: pixabay

make a strong relationship with your spouse, friend, and family.

Make sure to tell all your feelings to your midwife or obstetrician.

Attend local antenatal classes so that you get a chance to meet others in a similar situation.

TREATMENT OF TOKOPHOBIA:

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps pregnant women to make catharsis. It also helps to overcome the phobia.

Antidepressants can also help. It helps maintain the balance of brain chemicals, alleviating mood.

Hypnotherapy also helps to achieve a weighted sense of awareness. It helps to explore the subconscious thoughts that are holding you back.

Yoga, meditation, and other relaxation make you feel more confident about pregnancy.

 To summarize, becoming extra conscious and overwhelmed about pregnancy is normal and natural to the parents. But if you are over-frightened and fearful about pregnancy, you need medical support for Tokophobia. As mental health of the mother-to-be is very necessary not for the mother herself but the developing baby. Instead of worrying about Tokophobia, seek medical and psychological assistance. As the gestational period is full of motherly emotions and pleasure, try to enjoy it as much as possible.

Tokophobia
 source: pixabay