Tokophobia, has anyone ever heard of it or experienced this type of anxiety? I believe I'm an…
Tokophobia, has anyone ever heard of it or experienced this type of anxiety? I believe I'm an undiagnosed tokophobe (and have been for many years), and as my labor approaches my anxiety is getting worse. I know vaginal birth is unavoidable, and perhaps that's what makes it so terrifying, but I would rather have a vaginal birth than an elective c-section. Even the idea of a c-section scares me! I've watched videos on all of the different types of birth, and the vaginal videos give me the most anxiety. I would love to hear from women who've had tokophobia, and then experienced a better (or worse) vaginal birth than they expected.
Kimberly ·
Unfortunately I've never heard of that condition, but I can say over all I preferred my c section over being induced and having a vaginal birth.
Katrina Neveri·
I think I would prefer a c-section as well, but I'm not going to ask my doctor for an elective one. I don't think he would let me anyway, unless there was a medical reason. But the idea of vaginal birth scares me to no end, and the closer the date approaches the worse I feel!! Everyone keeps saying "just get an epidural." And sure, that's fine. But it doesn't minimize the damage you feel a few days and weeks after birth lol. I'm terrified of tearing my lips or perineum! The majority of live births I've watched involve a perineum tear and its horrific!
Katrina Neveri·
Although I can't minimize cesareans either, because I know the healing pain from those can be quite dramatic. I guess I would prefer to feel the pain in my abdomen than vagina though lol. All I know is when you pee, the vagina needs to be sprayed with a liquid squirt bottle for weeks after vaginal birth and not wiped. That alone speaks for the damage done by vaginal birth. :(