How to Get Rid of Tocophobia

How to Get Rid of Tocophobia
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Tocophobia In Context

Like other phobias, tocophobia is an anxiety disorder based on an irrational fear. When faced with pregnancy or childbirth, tocophobics can experience a range of symptoms, from panic and hyperventilation to palpitations, sweating and nausea.

Research by Hofberg and Brockington in 2000 identified two types of tocophobia:

  • Primary tocophobia: generally pre-dates pregnancy and is characterized by an “unscrupulous use” of contraception. Research suggests this starts in adolescence,
  • Secondary tochophobia: generally occurs after a traumatic delivery and often deters women from further pregnancies.

Although there are no statistics available in the U.S, evidence from the U.K suggests that one in six women suffered from tocophobia in 2010. More worryingly, these figures appear to be on the rise. With so many potential sufferers, let’s take a look at how to get to rid of tocophobia.

Relaxation Techniques

In a study conducted at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, researchers explored the effect of relaxation techniques on male sufferers of tocophobia. Known as psychoprophylaxis, these relaxation techniques involved teaching men how to support the mother during labor and delivery, counselling sessions and parental training. These techniques had a positive impact on their experience of childbirth and were able to reduce the symptoms associated with tocophobia.The study also found that psychoprophylaxis reduced the need for emergency caesarian sections but had no real benefit prior to labor and delivery.

Prenatal Treatments

Early intervention may help control to ease stress and anxiety. Some suggestions for how to get rid of tocophobia in the early stages include:

  • Expressing fears and concerns to a doctor, midwife or gynaecologist
  • Attending prenatal classes
  • Counselling sessions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, can be used at any stage in life and will equip tocophobic women and men with techniques to control and overcome their fears.

If psychological methods are unable to help a patient overcome their tocophobia, antidepressants are another option. Doctors do not readily prescribe antidepressant medication to pregnant women or during breastfeeding due to fears of harming the fetus. However, research indicates that tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs pose no risk to fetal development.

Much is still unknown as to whether or not antidepressants and/or psychological treatments work on how to get rid of tocophobia.It has not yet been fully investigated but they may be successful in treating some of the associated symptoms.

Delivery Options

Getting the Right Delivery

Hofberg and Brockington’s study of tocophobia has demonstrated the importance of the delivery method for pregnant women. In cases where women were denied the delivery method of their choice, rates of psychological morbidity increased. The answer of how to get rid of tocophobia, therefore, may be linked to ensuring the right labor and delivery.

Caesarean Section

Between 1996 and 2007, the number of U.S. women asking for a caesarean section increased by 53 percent, possibly as a result rising rates of tocophobia. A caesarean section differs from a traditional vaginal birth as it involves removing the baby from the womb via an incision along the abdomen. A caesarean section with full anaesthesia may be preferable for women with tocophobia but the recovery time is longer than a traditional delivery.

Pain Management

Managing labor pain is another way to reduce stress and anxiety for women with tocophobia. There are numerous sources of pain relief available for expectant mothers, such as gas and air or an epidural, and it is important that they are made aware of all their options. Some tocophobic women may benefit from giving birth in water as this offers a calmer environment and can offer some pain relief.

Considerations

Until more research is conducted, getting rid of tocophobia may not be possible for every person who has it. There are, however, a range of treatments to help ease the associated symptoms and to help women and men control and overcome their anxieties and fears about pregnancy and childbirth.

References

ABC News: Fear of Childbirth, or Tocophobia, Plagues More Women Who Want Children

Priory: Use of Antidepressants During Pregnancy

Royal College of Psychiatrists: Tokophobia: An Unreasoning Dread of Childbirth

Science Daily: Psychoprophylaxis Helps Men With Tocophobia