The fear of childbirth

2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 11:16

A growing phenomenon: more and more mothers-to-be are afraid to give birth. We talk about this fear and we give you tips to prepare for childbirth.

Afraid to give birth: normal?

Fear is a completely normal emotion, since it is actually a reaction of our body that warns us of potential or perceived danger. The fear of childbirth can happen for many reasons, but no matter where it comes from, your body and mind are giving you a clear signal that you are anticipating the moment of giving birth to your child.. This is not only normal, it is he althy since you now know that you will have to prepare well for your birth while managing this natural fear of the unknown as best as possible. Know above all that no woman considers childbirth as a cakewalk!

Why?

Even if the reasons vary from one woman to another, it is often women who are pregnant with their first baby who experience this fear of childbirth. In general, it is mainly due to the fear of the unknown, to the fear of suffering martyrdom and to the stories of childbirth of the entourage which come to amplify the anguish alreadypresent. If in her knowledge she has several women who have experienced a painful or downright dramatic childbirth, it is nothing to help the future mother to relax in the face of her childbirth! It's a bit normal, therefore, to imagine that her delivery will inevitably resemble those horror stories that have been told to us!

But it's not just new moms-to-be who may be afraid of childbirth. Even women who have already had the experience may feel a certain fear at the idea of having the experience again, especially if they were badly prepared the first time, if their first childbirth went badly, if they had a difficult postpartum or that they have not “mourned” their first childbirth.

The fear of childbirth and the duration of childbirth

According to a study in Norway, women who are afraid to give birth take an average of 90 minutes longer to give birth than women who are better prepared and therefore more relaxed. But how can we ensure that our fear does not negatively influence our childbirth? Proper preparation that includes relaxation and pain management techniques actually helps to have a better experience.

How to prepare?

There are several things you can do, for example:

• Demystify your worries by learning about the real process of childbirth. Know what's going on with your bodyduring birth, about the different positions for giving birth and the options available to you to relieve pain. Books are always a great resource, but our birthing section and our forum are also a gold mine of information that can help you feel better equipped.
• Be well surrounded: your spouse and those around you are your allies and can help reduce your fears about giving birth. Retaining the services of a birth companion is strongly recommended. His expertise will make you feel confident, which will greatly help calm your fears.
• Make a birth plan that shows your preferences. When we have taken the time to clearly indicate what we want and do not want, we have one less concern to manage! Your partner must also be well informed of your expectations and your wishes to support you throughout the delivery.
• Take prenatal classes that offer a personalized or unconventional approach to give you tools that are better suited to your personality.
• Consider techniques such as self-hypnosis which help tremendously with pain management, acupuncturewhich prepares the body for childbirth, water childbirth which is known for its "softness" compared to a more traditional childbirth, yoga which gives pain management techniques etc.

Tokophobia

Tokophobia is more than a fear of childbirth, it is an irrational and debilitating fear that can go so far as to prevent a woman who wants children from becoming pregnant to avoid having to give birth. The reasons why women develop tokophobia are varied and can stem from negative experiences in their past or from outside influences.

If you think that your fear of childbirth goes far beyond a "normal" fear and that you feel unable to experience childbirth despite your preparations, it is important not to neglect your symptoms and to consult a doctor, midwife or psychologist. A he althcare professional can help you live the experience better and avoid negative consequences such as post-traumatic shock, postpartum depression or difficulties in developing an attachment bond with your unborn baby.