What causes parturiphobia?

Answer 1

Parturiphobia is an intense fear of childbirth. Symptom-wise, it can be as severe as a Social Phobia or other severe Anxiety disorder.

Parturiphobia has many causes, but all have similar factors. A woman may have:

• heard that the pain of childbirth is uncontrollable
• heard about "difficult labor" from another woman
• seen television programs that depict horrible births
• had a mother or sister who had a difficult birth

The woman may fear:

• that she, or her baby, will die in childbirth
• pain without relief
• loss of control over her body
• losing control of her emotions

Psychological therapy can help. Of course, the woman should begin therapy well before her due date. Hypnosis or practice imagery can help walk a woman through each fear and plan ways to reduce her panic.

Labor and Delivery will occur -- so it is important that the woman has received adequate help in the months before, and continues to have support during labor and delivery.