Locchiophobia: characteristics, symptoms, causes and treatment.

This type of phobia appears in women who develop a pathological fear of giving birth.

Pregnancy and the moment of childbirth in women are Biological and natural processes. However, it is normal that they sometimes cause a certain respect or fear, especially the moment of childbirth. When this fear, however, becomes intense and disproportionate, we speak of a specific phobia: Locchiophobia.

In this article we will learn exactly what this phobia consists of, what other fears it is related to, what two types exist and what repercussions it has. Finally, we will talk about its symptoms, causes and possible treatments.

Locchiophobia: what is it?

Etymologically, the word "locchiophobia" comes from the Greek term "tokos", which means "birth", and the term "phobos", which means "fear".

Locchiophobia, also called tocophobia, is a specific type of phobia that involves an intense fear of giving birth or giving birth. consists of an intense fear of giving birth or giving birth.This phobia translates into a fear or anxiety associated with giving birth to a baby naturally, and is related to fear of pain (especially in new mothers) and fear of complications (especially in mothers who have had previous traumatic experiences during childbirth).

It is also related to the fear that the baby will suffer or be born with some malformation, although in locchiophobia the fear itself is directed especially to the "moment of childbirth". On the other hand, locchiophobia can be accentuated at times close to childbirth.

In order to prevent or treat locchiophobia often resort to scheduling the delivery in advance and by cesarean section..

Recall that specific phobias are anxiety disorders (classified as such in the DSM-5 [Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders]), and therefore the symptoms are closely related to anxious symptomatology, including nervousness, irritability, overexcitability, dizziness, etc.

Symptoms

Let's see what the symptoms of lockyophobia consist of:

Intense fear of childbirth 2.

The main symptom of locchiophobia, as in all specific phobias, consists of the existence of an irrational, intense, persistent and disproportionate fear (or anxiety) of giving birth.This is suffered by some women, pregnant or not (especially those who are not pregnant, who avoid becoming pregnant).

Fear of pregnancy

Sometimes locchiophobia can also include the actual fear of having a baby, although it is mainly related to the moment of childbirth. The fear often translates into nervousness, irritability, anguish, discomfort, fear, etc., etc.etc.

This fear can cover both the period of gestation and the period or moment of delivery; the mother feels fear of the moment of delivery, and especially fear of suffering or feeling pain that she cannot bear.

3. Avoidance behaviors

On the other hand, the person with locchiophobia also presents avoidance behaviors, in this case of situations that remind her of the moment of childbirth (if she is already pregnant) or of situations, people or objects related to the possibility of becoming pregnant (such as seeing other pregnant women).

4. Altered functioning

The global symptomatology of locchiophobia (especially the intense fear) must last a minimum of 6 months to be diagnosed as such, and the daily functioning of the affected person must be significantly impaired (due to the symptoms).

5. Other symptoms

Other symptoms associated with locchiophobia include nightmares, depressive symptoms, heightened anxiety, difficulty concentrating or thinking, nausea and even panic attacks. It is very important to prevent and treat these symptoms in order to prevent the baby (in case it is already in gestation) from suffering as well.

Types

There are two types of locchiophobia: primary and secondary.

1. Primary

Primary locchiophobia is that suffered by first-time womenwho have never given birth before.

Typically these women, if they are not pregnant, wish to have children, but the moment of childbirth frightens them so much that they delay the moment or simply do not try to become pregnant. If they are pregnant, they feel this fear throughout the pregnancy and especially in the later stages of pregnancy.

2. Secondary

The second type of locchiophobia is secondary locchiophobia. These are women who are no longer first-time mothers, i.e. who have already had children, and who had a traumatic experience during childbirth (due to complications, problems, etc.). This bad experience caused them a kind of trauma, in addition to possible painful symptoms, and that is why they are afraid to go through the same thing again.

Thus, these women are generally afraid of going through the same thing again, these women are generally afraid of becoming pregnant again and therefore avoid it.However, locchiophobia can also arise in women who are pregnant again and who have already had children (the latter case being rarer).

Effects on quality of life

Generally, women suffering from locchiophobia end up choosing the vital option of not having children (at least conceiving a child naturally).

This decision, based on a limitation, can affect their emotional and sentimental life. (in couple relationships), if their partners want to have children and they do not. It may also happen that these women resort to other alternatives, such as adoption, in order to avoid the process of pregnancy and/or childbirth.

Causes

The causes of locchiophobia can be diverse. As we have already mentioned one of the most common is a previous traumatic experience at the time of childbirth (in non-first-time mothers). (in non-first-time mothers). This experience may have included complications for the baby or for the mother herself, malformations in the baby, unbearable pain at the moment of delivery, etc. This is the most common cause of secondary locchiophobia.

However, locchiophobia can also arise from observing other mothers suffering during pregnancy or childbirth, from listening to traumatic stories of other women, for example (vicarious learning).for example (vicarious learning).

It can also be related to myths and legends associated with the moment of childbirth, which end up causing in the person suffering from phobia, erroneous or distorted beliefs of the moment of giving birth.

Treatment

The treatment of locchiophobia, in women who are already pregnant, consists of scheduling a cesarean delivery sufficiently in advance so that the woman feels calm and without risk. However, psychological therapy can also be used beforehand.However, psychological therapy can also be used beforehand, using restructuring techniques to eliminate erroneous beliefs related to the moment of childbirth.

These techniques (together with the cognitive therapy itself) will also allow the woman to learn to listen to her fears and understand where they come from and what they are based on.

The patient will be encouraged to replace her dysfunctional thoughts with more positive and realistic ones.. In addition, it will be important to accompany the woman so that she can conceive the moment of childbirth as a natural process that, in case of complications, she will be able to have medical professionals and the appropriate resources to solve any possible problem.

As for possible pharmacological treatments, anxiolytics and/or antidepressants (to help alleviate the existing anxiety and possible comorbid depressive symptoms) can be used as long as this does not affect the baby's health, and only under the medical prescription of a professional.

Bibliographic references:

• American Psychiatric Association (APA) (2014). DSM-5. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Madrid. Panamericana.
• Belloch, A., Sandín, B. and Ramos, F. (2010). Manual de Psicopatología. Volume I and II. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.
• Medina, V. (2018). have you heard of tocophobia or fear of giving birth? Pregnant woman's deep fear of childbirth. Guíainfantil.com.