For an industry dedicated to supporting women through pregnancy and birth, we are missing something huge.
We talk about birth trauma.
We talk about perinatal anxiety.
We talk about informed choice, autonomy, and consent.
But what about tokophobia—the extreme fear of pregnancy and childbirth?
It affects far more women than we realize, yet it remains one of the most overlooked and misunderstood conditions in perinatal care.
And that oversight is costing women—emotionally, physically, and psychologically.
Tokophobia Isn’t Just “Fear of Birth”
The term “tokophobia” is misleading.
It makes it sound like a simple fear of birth—something that a bit of education or reassurance can fix.
But tokophobia is so much more than that.
🔹 It’s a severe anxiety disorder, often rooted in past trauma, loss, or deep-seated fears.
🔹 It doesn’t just affect how a woman feels about giving birth—it shapes her entire life.
🔹 It leads to delayed motherhood, avoidance of pregnancy, elective C-sections, and even sterilization.
🔹 And most importantly—it won’t go away on its own.
So why is the birth industry still treating it as an afterthought?
Why We’re Failing Women with Tokophobia
Too often, women with tokophobia are met with:
🚩 Dismissal – “Oh, everyone’s scared of birth. You’ll be fine.”
🚩 Misinformation – “You just need to educate yourself, then you’ll feel better.”
🚩 Lack of real solutions – “Try CBT. It helps with anxiety.”
Meanwhile, these women are:
❌ Avoiding pregnancy altogether
❌ Struggling with severe distress in pregnancy
❌ Feeling like they have no choice but a C-section
❌ Left with untreated trauma that affects them long after birth
Tokophobia is a mental health issue, but we are treating it like an inconvenient footnote in perinatal care.
And that needs to change.
Birth Professionals: We Need to Do Better
The birth industry has done incredible work advocating for better birth experiences, but a truly fear-free birth starts long before labor begins.
Here’s what needs to change:
✅ Early Screening – Women should be assessed for tokophobia as part of routine perinatal mental health care.
✅ Specialist Support – Perinatal professionals need proper training in tokophobia and how to treat it effectively.
✅ Real Healing, Not Coping Strategies – Women deserve real solutions that clear the fear at the root—not just “managing” it.
✅ Recognition in Mental Health – Tokophobia is an anxiety disorder, and it needs to be treated as such.
It’s Time to Take Tokophobia Seriously
For too long, we have ignored, misunderstood, and dismissed this fear.
It’s time to change the conversation.
🔹 If you’re a birth professional, start learning about tokophobia.
🔹 If you’re a therapist, realize that your clients may have this without even knowing.
🔹 If you’ve struggled with birth fear, know that you’re not alone—and that healing is possible.
The first step is awareness.
The next step is action.
Let’s start now.