To protect the identity of my tokophobic interviewees, I have guaranteed anonymity for those involved in the production of this documentary.
As a journalist I have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources under section 14 of the IPSO code.
This interviewee was very open about their experiences with tokophobia. I was caught off-guard by their unwavering confidence and trust in me as a journalist. This individual finally managed to diagnose their fears as tokophobia just over a year ago.
Across my correspondence with tokophobics, I found myself growing more and more determined to give them a voice. I spoke to women who's partners, parents and friends were clueless about theirs fears. Can you imagine having to avoid certain family gathering or social events because you know someone is pregnant or has kids?
The more I spoke them, the more I came to realise that this phobia goes far beyond the fear of pain that goes with pregnancy and birth. One individual I spoke to feared that any child she were to have would hereditary diseases passed down through family genes. Another worried that she wouldn't make a good mother.
Talking to these women opened my eyes to the fact that having this phobia isn't a self involved experience. Care and concern for others seem to be a common thread too.
Hear more from this interviewee in my documentary which will be available on the 14th December.
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