To access the full bonus episode, sign up for our Patreon.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
To access the full bonus episode, sign up for our Patreon.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
What if the very thought of pregnancy or giving birth filled you with terror — not just discomfort or anxiety, but real, paralyzing fear?In this episode, Erika and Kristen explore tokophobia, an often-overlooked condition defined by the Cleveland Clinic as an extreme fear of childbirth. Tokophobia can affect people so severely that they may go to great lengths to avoid pregnancy altogether. For those who do become pregnant, the fear can overshadow what many new parents expect to be a joyful time. We unpack the psychological and cultural roots of this condition, share firsthand accounts from those living with it, and discuss how tokophobia intersects the choice to remain childfree. Whether you've experienced this fear yourself, or are just hearing about it for the first time, this episode offers validation, insight, and a fresh perspective on reproductive autonomy.In This Episode, We Cover:🧠 The difference between primary and secondary tokophobia, and how each type manifests📊 Statistics from the Norwich Medical School on the prevalence of childbirth-related anxiety and severe fear🧪 Kristen’s deep dive into the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ) — including her own results😨 Erika’s personal experience with extreme physical reactions to discussions of pregnancy🧵 How tokophobia, PTSD, and general fear of childbirth exist on a spectrum — and why misdiagnosis matters💊 The limited treatment options for tokophobia, including therapy and planned cesarean births🗣️ Emotional Reddit confessions from those with tokophobia, and how the childfree identity often overlaps with the condition⚖️ The impact of abortion restrictions on those with tokophobia — and how forced pregnancy can feel life-threatening to some🧵 Why “being a woman” can feel like a burden when reproductive autonomy is at stake💬 Join the Conversation: Have you experienced tokophobia or a fear of pregnancy? Tell us your story or weigh in on the conversation at @dinkypod on Instagram, or email us at dinky@dinkypod.com. Rate & Review:If you found this episode validating, eye-opening, or just super interesting, don’t forget to follow and leave us a review! It helps other childfree listeners find us.TAKE A TRIP WITH DINKY:Mexico City Weekend 1: Oct 9 - 128 Days In Germany + Prague for Christmas Markets: Dec. 6 - 13 (GIRLS TRIP)Wanna get your finances in order? Use our link to sign up for a FREE 34 day trial of YNAB (You Need A Budget) and support the show. Dinky is now on Substack — free of charge! Subscribe now to access exclusive content, unhinged memes, guest articles, and stay up to date on the podcast.Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and BlueSky at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! EVERYONE who signs up to our giveaway wins a FREE spicy toy or gift card for toys! https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/dinky-pod Shop items from our Dink Yourself segment or Kristen's Dior lipgloss in color Berry.JOIN US FOR Christmas Markets 2026!!! OR Colombia 2027!!!! Today we are doing an episode that is long overdue. We are interviewing Zoë Noble and James Glazebrook – hosts of the popular We Are Childfree podcast. The podcast started in January 2021 and focuses on childfree women and, more recently, on celebrating the lives and experiences of older childfree people. We Are Childfree has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, The Guardian, Vogue and much more. We will hear more about their stories, life on the road traveling Europe in a camper van, and much more. Learn more about Hearth, guided gatherings for women.Kristen has been quietly building a cozy chair for people who game on the couch or in bed. Also for crafters, knitters, and anyone who works from a laptop in bed. Lunni launches spring 2027, and the email list gets first access. Sign up at shoplunni.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.
Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! EVERYONE who signs up to our giveaway wins a FREE spicy toy or gift card for toys! https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/dinky-pod Shop items from our Dink Yourself segment. JOIN US FOR Christmas Markets 2026!!! OR Colombia 2027!!!! This episode is going to be A DOOOOOOOOZY. We’re talking about a story that centers in Texas (of course) featuring a baby, who was born with a severe heart defect, that drew the attention of anti-abortion activists as well as the Texas attorney general after the intended parents wanted the surrogate mother to have an abortion. I think there is a good likelihood that this case will rise to the Supreme Court and influence future abortion precedent — so, as your local abortion advocates, we thought it was valuable to fill you in. Sources:California couple’s surrogate gives birth in Texas after judge orders life-saving careA Fight Over Abortion and Surrogacy Ends With a Baby Born in TexasNewborn with heart condition at center of surrogacy legal fight has surgerySurrogate fighting for baby’s life against abortion-pushing biological parents: ‘Every life matters’Reddit: Biological parents file for a temporary restraining order against the surrogate mother, McKenna West PLUS: Treat yourself to new merch!Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.