Tokophobia: The Extreme Fear Of Childbirth No One Talks About

What if the very thought of pregnancy or giving birth filled you with terror — not just discomfort or anxiety, but real, paralyzing fear?In this episode, Erika and Kristen explore tokophobia, an often-overlooked condition defined by the Cleveland Clinic as an extreme fear of childbirth. Tokophobia can affect people so severely that they may go to great lengths to avoid pregnancy altogether. For those who do become pregnant, the fear can overshadow what many new parents expect to be a joyful time. We unpack the psychological and cultural roots of this condition, share firsthand accounts from those living with it, and discuss how tokophobia intersects the choice to remain childfree. Whether you've experienced this fear yourself, or are just hearing about it for the first time, this episode offers validation, insight, and a fresh perspective on reproductive autonomy.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• 🧠 The difference between primary and secondary tokophobia, and how each type manifests
  
  
• 📊 Statistics from the Norwich Medical School on the prevalence of childbirth-related anxiety and severe fear
  
  
• 🧪 Kristen’s deep dive into the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ) — including her own results
  
  
• 😨 Erika’s personal experience with extreme physical reactions to discussions of pregnancy
  
  
• 🧵 How tokophobia, PTSD, and general fear of childbirth exist on a spectrum — and why misdiagnosis matters
  
  
• 💊 The limited treatment options for tokophobia, including therapy and planned cesarean births
  
  
• 🗣️ Emotional Reddit confessions from those with tokophobia, and how the childfree identity often overlaps with the condition
  
  
• ⚖️ The impact of abortion restrictions on those with tokophobia — and how forced pregnancy can feel life-threatening to some
  
  
• 🧵 Why “being a woman” can feel like a burden when reproductive autonomy is at stake
  
  

💬 Join the Conversation: Have you experienced tokophobia or a fear of pregnancy? Tell us your story or weigh in on the conversation at @dinkypod on Instagram, or email us at dinky@dinkypod.com.

Rate & Review:
If you found this episode validating, eye-opening, or just super interesting, don’t forget to follow and leave us a review! It helps other childfree listeners find us.

TAKE A TRIP WITH DINKY:
Mexico City Weekend 1: Oct 9 - 12
8 Days In Germany + Prague for Christmas Markets: Dec. 6 - 13 (GIRLS TRIP)

Wanna get your finances in order? Use our link to sign up for a FREE 34 day trial of YNAB (You Need A Budget) and support the show.

Dinky is now on Substack — free of charge! Subscribe now to access exclusive content, unhinged memes, guest articles, and stay up to date on the podcast.

Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and BlueSky at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.

If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.