Solalux - I completely agree with what you say about it not being a phobia. I personally would possibly consider having kids if the whole pregnancy/birth/newborn stage could be skipped over as it repulses me so much. But I don't consider this irrational - especially when the first thing I see on the internet news page this morning was a ruling on the case of a woman who died giving birth due to the fact the overworked midwife gave her an epidural in the arm rather than a saline drip! I simply meant it is a recognised 'condition' and it is a name for women who are so terrified by birth/pregnancy as to interfere with their lives. In the case of my friend who had the caesaerean she was made to go to various 'phobia cure' and support groups to 'help her through it.' It sounded like a load of (male) doctors sitting around telling them they're being silly and irrational and the fact it hurts is good, it's 'positive' pain! I suppose they have to list it officially as a phobia as the 'natural' thing is for women to want children. Admittedly if left to nature a large portion of these women might die but this somehow doesn't figure! And I suppose people pretend it is all so beautiful because babies have become the new happy ending. Everyone I know, regardless of lack of relationship/career success/happiness, are sprogging up and considering themselves 'fulfilled'! Sorry if I'm sounding rather bitter - the pressure from the in-laws just reared its ugly head today!