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Do You Have a Fear of Childbirth?

Nov 14, 2011Pregnancy

Women today are inundated with the labor and delivery stories of family, friends, and even strangers from across the globe.  With the media leaving nothing to the imagination, it’s easy to understand why anxiety related to childbirth is very common in women.1  A survey conducted by UK’s Pregnancy and Birth found that 87% of pregnant women were terrified of the idea of giving birth.2

The fear associated with the unknown and anticipation of pain are normal.  However, in some cases, rather than endure the stress of labor and delivery, women will elect to terminate an otherwise wanted pregnancy.3

The severe fear of childbirth, called tocophobia, effects between 13%-20% of fertile women.4

Symptoms include:

  • restlessness
  • nervousness
  • sleeplessness
  • crying episodes
  • increased heart rate at the thought of labor
  • change in eating habits
  • change in physical activity1

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms or other pregnancy related stress, please contact us for a free consultation.

 

1 R. Bakshi, A. Mehta, A. Mehta & B. Sharma: Tokophobia: Fear Of Pregnancy And Childbirth. The Internet Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2008 Volume 10 Number 1. Retrieved from: http://www.ispub.com/journal/the-internet-journal-of-gynecology-and-obstetrics/volume-10-number-1/tokophobia-fear-of-pregnancy-and-childbirth.html

2 BBC News (March 6, 2000) “Women ‘Scared of Birth'”  Retrieved from:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/667444.stm

3 K Hofberg, M R Ward (2003). Postgraduate Medical Journal. Fear of pregnancy and childbirth. Page 506.  Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1742837/pdf/v079p00505.pdf

4 National Institutes of Health. ClinicalTrials.gov. (2008). Fear of Childbirth (Tokophobia) – Etiology, Essence and Clinical Implications
Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1742837/pdf/v079p00505.pdf

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