It’s time to speak up : So I never thought I... - Anxiety Support

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It’s time to speak up

lizbeth_v profile image
25 Replies

So I never thought I’d be writing this on a forum... but here we go.... I have a severe phobia of becoming pregnant. Pregnancy is something that is extremely terrifying to me. I am currently not sexually active due to this fear yet I still convince myself that I will become pregnant. I don’t know why this happens..

Side note*** saying things like “a baby is a beautiful thing” or “if you are given a child it’s bc you can handle it” or “being pregnant is beautiful” or anything along those lines is very triggering to me so please do not mention those things. Thank you :)

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lizbeth_v profile image
lizbeth_v
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25 Replies
lizbeth_v profile image
lizbeth_v

Ps!!! Regardless of many menstrual periods and negative tests I can’t get rid of this fear

Agora1 profile image
Agora1

Hi lizbeth, did something happen to you or someone else you know that

might have promoted this fear? Have you ever gotten professional therapy?

Thank you for being so candid with us. I know how difficult that must have been.

Know that this is your safe place to come. :) xx

lizbeth_v profile image
lizbeth_v in reply to Agora1

Not particularly. I had my first pregnancy scare back when I first started experimenting with my boyfriend. Ever since that day I’ve just never been the same. I realized how afraid of becoming pregnant I was and it continues to haunt me now

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to lizbeth_v

Thank you again lizbeth for being so frank. I can better understand how that first scare might have traumatized you. My suggestion might be to talk with your Gynecologist

who will be able to address your fears and concerns both psychologically as well as

physically. :) xx

lizbeth_v profile image
lizbeth_v

Yea that’s what’s been helping me lately. I’ve also been taking medication to treat my anxiety as well as going to therapy. They’ve both helped but I feel as though I let myself get carried away from things I read online

Dolphin14 profile image
Dolphin14

Not everyone needs or wants to have children.

My youngest daughter has fears of carrying and caring for a baby. We talk about it. It's a choice.

Part one is being aware of how you feel.

Talk it out with your GYN. Get some answers to your fears.

lizbeth_v profile image
lizbeth_v in reply to Dolphin14

I hope your daughter feels better about her fears. I know how lonely it can be. And thank you so much for your support :)

Dolphin14 profile image
Dolphin14 in reply to lizbeth_v

I honestly don't know if she will ever have kids. I wanted to share that so you know you are not the only one.

I hope things work out for you. Talking about it will be very helpful.

Best of luck to you.

lizbeth_v profile image
lizbeth_v in reply to Dolphin14

I feel as though I won’t ever have kids either. It’s good to know that someone feels the same as I do. Thank you for sharing this 💕

Dolphin14 profile image
Dolphin14 in reply to lizbeth_v

💕

Dixie9326 profile image
Dixie9326 in reply to lizbeth_v

If you’re not prepared to be a mother it’s not un usual to fear getting pregnant . My daughter never wanted to be a mother, it’s NOT for everyone...that is your choice. She’s married and has two dogs, one cat and a horse....that’s her immediate family:)♥️

Be celibate or use birth control but don’t think it’s a phobia not wanting to be pregnant... it’s a choice every woman decides for herself...when or not at all. :):):)😍

Kkimm profile image
Kkimm

It is a very understandable fear and not one to be ashamed of at all. We are not responsible for our fears. I think it is probably more common than you think also.

My very best wishes.

Kim

lizbeth_v profile image
lizbeth_v in reply to Kkimm

Thank you. I’ve seen on this forum that it’s a prevailing fear among women who are of religious background and tougher standards for women.

Kkimm profile image
Kkimm

It is a very understandable fear and not one to be ashamed of at all. We are not responsible for our fears. I think it is probably more common than you think also.

My very best wishes.

Kim

Dogdoo profile image
Dogdoo

It's called Tokophobia and it's a real thing that lots of women suffer from.

Some therapy might help get that sorted if you really want kids but this is preventing you.

lizbeth_v profile image
lizbeth_v in reply to Dogdoo

Yea I’ve been going to therapy and I am unsure at the moment about having kids in the future due to this fear. I’ve heard the term used to describe my phobia before but I’ve never mentioned it to my therapist. Maybe mentioning it will help her get a better understanding of what I am going through

Lm92 profile image
Lm92

I have the same fear. Not to the same degree, but it still causes issues between my husband and I. It doesn't help that my antidepressant makes my libido non-existent too. I've been too embarrassed to mention that fear in therapy, but your post really hit home for me and has given me a push to talk about it, so thank you. I hope you can find a good therapist that can help you as well.

lizbeth_v profile image
lizbeth_v in reply to Lm92

Thank you. I hope you receive the help you need. I know how lonely it can be when you live with this fear and don’t speak about it. Don’t be afraid to speak about it, this post has shown me that others feel the same way I do especially when I thought I was the only one.

shaggrocks profile image
shaggrocks

Were you raised catholic / religious? I had a very similar fear w/ my GF a few years ago.

lizbeth_v profile image
lizbeth_v in reply to shaggrocks

Yes I am catholic and my family is very religious. I guess for me it’s the sexual guilt it comes with as well as the fear of having a child. It all just kind of mixes in together

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o

As far as I can tell, this fear really seems to be based in your religion (as you've alluded to), and that's not to say non-religious people "don't care if they get pregnant" - it's just that for a non-religious person the repercussions (both real and perceived) are either different or non-existent.

I'm sure the fear is very real, but I think the fear must be:

1) pregnancy is "undeniable proof" of sexual activity

2) most religious people are anti-abortion and therefore there's no guiltless fix

That's enough...

lizbeth_v profile image
lizbeth_v in reply to o2G2o

Yea. I relate to everything you’ve said. Sadly I was raised that way and no matter how much I want to change my beliefs, it feels as though I’m trapped in my own head

Thissucks562 profile image
Thissucks562

I was raised catholic too. I got pregnant out of wedlock and at 17! I wasn't going to church. I was scared also and then I just didn't care. I moved out with the dad and ended up having another one at 21. I left him for reasons I dont wish to share. I started going back to catholic church and yes we were instilled that it's a mortal sin and all. I am now a Christian and I've understood that we all fall short and will sin. I have forgiven myself and the mistakes I've made and I don't see my kids as mistakes, just their dad lol but Jesus came for sinners not saints. The problem is our sinful nature, we want to do what's pleasing to us, our bodies, our flesh. It's normal. I am now married (not kids dad) and we waited till we got married and it's so freeing. Idk how old you are or if you go to church but that's something you should really pray about and think about as far as your relationship with God, if you believe. And like another reply said, you fear it because it's an outward appearance of sin committed. You can't hide that like you would watching porn or other things. I know that was it for me but I know I am forgiven. Good luck.

lizbeth_v profile image
lizbeth_v in reply to Thissucks562

Thank you for sharing your story with me. I’m glad that you are headed in a positive direction!

greeneyedgirly profile image
greeneyedgirly

Nope, I get it! So much so that when I got married 10 years ago, my husband had a vasectomy.

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