TOKOPHOBIA: AN OVERVIEW

Hritika Sharma* and Tanusri Tetarbe

ABSTRACT

Around 5-15% pregnant females are affected by Tokophobia, also known as maieusiophobia or parturiphobia, which is fear of childbirth. To some extent, it can be considered as a normal human phenomenon considering the painful and unpredictable experience but severe forms that affect the daily functioning of the woman are labelled as pathological forms of Tokophobia. It is a very specific and harrowing condition. It has been a difficult task to study the prevalence and impact of Tokophobia because of shortage of adequate psychological measurements. There is both an urgency and desirability for development of a multidisciplinary approach towards fear of childbirth due to its complexity and obstetric, anesthesiological, psychological and psychiatric implications. An improved etiological and developmental understanding of tokophobia is required to determine the onset and progression of the condition and underpin appropriate, effective and evidence-based interventions. Research in these areas is very sparse and further research is necessary, which can be done by focusing on the evaluation of the pathways of care and relevant interventions.

Keywords: Tokophobia, Maieusiophobia, Parturiphobia, Phobia, Fear of Childbirth, Fear of Pregnancy, Psychometric Study, W-DEQ, NUPDQ, Labor Anxiety Questionnaire (KLPII), STAI scale.