A study conducted by the University of Michigan has found that the women are more scared to childbirth than previously thought and they are highly worried about their health care providers and place of birth than pain or complications. The study has said that Tokophobia, fear of childbirth or pregnancy has been leading most number of women to postnatal depression.

The study makers analyzed the three small, focus groups of women who were pregnant or has recently given birth. The goal was to find out the aspects which women are afraid of while their pregnancy and whether women’s fears are being acknowledged or addressed by their physicians.


Even though the study has shown a little bit need for more research, the study has proved that excessive tensions and fear leads to complications during pregnancy and birth, said Lee Roosevelt. However, he has also added that some fear of pregnancy in expectant mothers and asking about it to health care providers is natural.

Roosevelt, who is also a midwife, said, “Women who have significant fear of childbirth are more likely to have C-sections, longer labors, and to need induction or argumentation. They’re more likely to have a postpartum depression.”

Roosevelt said that one of the important doubt women fear the most is they think that their health care providers won’t treat them respectfully or listen to their concerns or won’t the actual birth.

Lisa Kane, Low Associate Professor at University of Michigan School of Nursing said, “The results say a lot about how we do a maternity care in this country.”

By Prajakt K.