Description:
<jats:p> Tokophobia is an overwhelming fear of pregnancy and birth that can lead to severe mental health difficulties in the perinatal period. The condition can be experienced by men as well as women and has implications for physical and mental health wellbeing in pregnancy and the postnatal period. Individuals with tokophobia are likely to have experienced previous traumatic events, which can trigger the condition and are also vulnerable to experiencing traumatic stress. This article proposes an adapted psychologically informed trauma model to help health professionals to understand and support pregnant women (and men) living with this condition. The aim of this is to raise awareness of the condition, as well as offer a guide for professionals to support and validate those living with this condition, as well as help them to feel safe and secure with the professional supporting them. It is hoped that this will lead those with tokophobia to experience a sense of safety, calmness, self-efficacy, connectedness and hope in working with professionals supporting them. This may, in turn, lead to them feeling more empowered and connected to becoming a parent and in planning their birth journey for those that are pregnant and living with this condition. </jats:p>