Tokophobia: Raising Awareness

Mills, Jayden

Mental health is becoming an important topic within midwifery, but there continue to be under-discussed, under-researched and stigmatised conditions, such as tokophobia. This article aims to tackle these issues by raising awareness and understanding of tokophobia, and to start conversations about the topic. A small literature review is used to gain more information about it. This literature review revealed that tokophobia can be categorised into primary and secondary tokophobia, as well as identifying links between tokophobia and psychological morbidity and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, a personal reflection is included, with outlines on how it is proposed that stigma around tokophobia can be handled in the work place. Finally, it is suggested that tokophobia may not be a condition solely experienced by the women we care for, but also family members and birthing partners, which may have a lasting impact on the individual.

The Practising midwife, 2019, Vol 22, Issue 2

1461-3123

10.55975/vnwg7823