Lockiophobia, also known as tokophobia, tocophobia and parturiphobia, is an extreme fear of childbirth. This type of phobia manifests itself through a number of symptoms, including:

• Nightmares
• Difficulty concentrating on work or family activities
• Panic attacks
• Psychosomatic complaints

The fear of childbirth often motivates pregnant women to suggest an elective cesarean section rather than the normal delivery method. Fear of labor pain is strongly associated with pain in general, a previous complicated childbirth, or inadequate pain relief, which can cause lockiophobia to develop.

If you suffer from lockiophobia, do not fret. There are solutions to your problem. Though a cesarean section is always an option, there are other ways of facing and overcoming the fear.

The fear of childbirth is a distressing psychological disorder that may be overlooked by doctors. Lockiophobia may be associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. You should recognize this type of fear and have some medical assistance to reduce the severity of the phobia and ensure successful treatment.

Types of Lockiophobia

The fear of childbirth is classified in two ways: primary and secondary tokophobia.

• Primary tokophobia occurs prior to pregnancy and can start as early as adolescence.
• Secondary tokophobia is due to negative past experiences that were related to traumatic birth, postpartum depression, poor obstetric practice or medical attention, or other upsetting events.

Remember that both forms of the phobia can be treated with medical assistance, primarily with the help of a psychologist.

Overcoming Lockiophobia

Women have the unenviable task of giving birth. It is a challenge that certainly beats courtship and balding hair. Yes, women, in more ways than one, are stronger than men because of the various challenges they have to face in their lifetime. Indeed, nothing is more challenging than carrying a child for almost a year and delivering him or her to the world.

Most women attend childbirth classes to learn how to handle the challenges of labor. If you have not seen labor before going through your own, you are among the majority. Some women allow their concerns to become unproductive fear ---- one that paralyzes their decision-making capabilities and makes the whole process of pregnancy a burden rather than a cause for celebration.

Lockiophobia can prevent you from preparing for and focusing on your pregnancy. The female body has the capability to stop labor when it feels unsafe and threatened. With the mother being in a state of fear or panic, it can trigger the body to stop labor.

You can overcome this fear --- you simply need to have the mindset and the courage. Overcoming the fear of labor is the first step towards a natural birth, one that is not marred with concerns about accidents and death, but with joy and excitement.

Have the Right Attitude. Your attitude determines your viewpoint and feelings about the childbirth process. First, stop thinking of labor as a burden or an unfortunate process that women may or may not go through. This can scare you so much you may not want to have biological children anymore.

Why not think of labor as something challenging but extremely rewarding --- just like studying for days for an exam and getting a high mark. You may need to sacrifice your time and effort, but the satisfaction is priceless. Having a child is said to be the greatest event a woman can ever experience.

The process of labor is run by your body, with the uterine muscle contracting and the body creating a powerful sensation. Do not fight the work of your body and try your best to cooperate. You may not be entirely in control of the labor process, but you have options on how to respond. When it comes to childbirth, set the right attitude and you will not even think about the fear, but simply the reward at the end.

Educate Yourself. In most cases, lockiophobia is caused by uncertainty and the fear of the unknown. Other times tough, it is simply caused by misinformation. Educating yourself about the process of childbirth can help you gain a whole new perspective. Learning what to expect from normal labor can help you reduce the fear.

Learn the difference between what is normal or what is not. Learn about the options you have, including potential risks and benefits. Learn techniques on how to handle the various aspects of labor that you are most concerned about. Education breeds knowledgeable people. A knowledgeable woman knows better than to fear childbirth.

Bring Someone for Support. People tend to channel their fears to something else when they are with someone they trust and care about. It's human nature to feel safer and stronger among friends. When dealing with childbirth, you may find yourself less frightened if you have someone with you.

Besides the usual scene of family members and friends waiting outside the operating room, you may want to select hospital attendants who will remain with you through the whole process. Make sure that everyone involved in the labor process is supportive of the choices you'll make. Surround yourself with people who will provide encouragement and emotional support. You may also want to hire a doula. She can help you out during and after labor, and may provide the support you need.

Have Realistic Expectations. Before going into labor, you may meet women who have undergone the same process. Some may give encouragement, but some might spoil everything and retell labor horror stories. Make sure you keep your expectations about labor realistic. Ask doctors instead of mothers who have nothing encouraging to tell you.

Take Control. Pregnant women have many options when it comes to giving birth. Find out what options are available in your local community and select medical attendants and a birth place with the setup you desire. Create a birth plan that you can discuss with your doctors and caregivers before labor begins. This will allow you to make the best decisions, and gradually, feel comfortable with everything. The fear of childbirth, more or less, will only manifest itself when there is too much precariousness and equivocalness with the whole process of childbirth.

Childbirth should not be feared but cherished and celebrated; however, you can't blame any woman for fearing a thing deemed painful and torturous. With the right attitude, sufficient knowledge, a supportive group, and a sense of control, you will be able to overcome this fear and anything that engenders it. Be resourceful, courageous, positive, and you'll certainly feel the joy of childbirth more than anything else.