Research has shown that hypnosis can have a positive impact on pregnant women during labor and childbirth. Many studies have been conducted using randomized control trials demonstrating statistical significance.
The use of hypnosis has been shown :-
- to reduce the length of labor,
- decrease medication use,
- lower rates of intervention,
- result in a higher rate of spontaneous birth.
- Additionally, hypnosis has been linked to a reduction in postpartum depression.
Further research is needed to fully demonstrate the potential benefits of hypnosis for childbirth preparation.
Study: “Effects of a midwife psycho-education intervention to reduce childbirth fear on women’s birth outcomes and postpartum psychological wellbeing”
This study found that a midwife psycho-education intervention reduced childbirth fear in pregnant women and improved their birth outcomes and postpartum psychological well-being. Women who received the intervention had lower levels of anxiety during pregnancy, were less likely to use pain relief during labor, had shorter labors, and had higher rates of spontaneous vaginal birth compared to women who did not receive the intervention.
Reference:
Study: “Effect of Hypnobirthing Training on Fear, Pain, Satisfaction Related to Birth, and Birth Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial”
This study found that hypnobirthing training reduced fear and pain during labor and improved satisfaction with the birth experience. Women who received hypnobirthing training had lower levels of anxiety and fear during pregnancy and labor, reported less pain during labor, and were more satisfied with their birth experience compared to women who did not receive the training. However, there were no significant differences in the rates of cesarean delivery, instrumental delivery, or episiotomy between the two groups.
Reference:
- Gonca Buran 1, Hilmiye Aksu. Effect of Hypnobirthing Training on Fear, Pain, Satisfaction Related to Birth, and Birth Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Caring Sci. 2022 Jun;31(5):918-930. doi: 10.1177/10547738211073394. Epub 2022 Jan 27
Study Title: “Effects of an Antenatal Hypnosis Program on Postpartum Depression, Anxiety and Stress”
Outcome: The study found that women who received antenatal hypnosis had significantly lower levels of postpartum depression, anxiety, and stress compared to those who did not receive hypnosis.
Reference: Zuhrah Beevi , Wah Yun Low , Jamiyah Hassan , A randomized controlled trial. Birth, 39(1), 37-43. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-536X.2011.00516.x
Trial: “The effect of prenatal education on childbirth fear and maternal self-efficacy”
Outcome: The study found that women who participated in prenatal education classes had lower levels of childbirth fear and higher levels of maternal self-efficacy compared to those who did not receive prenatal education.
Reference: Pınar Serçekuş , Hatice Başkale The effect of prenatal education on childbirth fear and maternal self-efficacy. 2016 Mar;34:166-172. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2015.11.016. Epub 2015 Nov 27.
Study Title: “Effectiveness of midwifery-led psychoeducation on perinatal depression and anxiety”
Outcome: The study found that women who received midwifery-led psychoeducation had a lower risk of developing perinatal depression and anxiety compared to those who did not receive psychoeducation.
Reference: Leila Chaharrahifard, Alireza Jashni Motlagh, Mahnaz Akbari-Kamrani, Mina Ataee, and Sara Esmaelzadeh –Saeieh Effectiveness of midwifery-led psychoeducation on perinatal depression and anxiety.
J Caring Sci. 2021 May; 10(2): 70–76. Published online 2021 May 24. doi: 10.34172/jcs.2021.014
Study Title: “A randomized controlled trial of the effect of a psychoeducation program for women with childbirth fear on maternal and neonatal outcomes”
Outcome: The study found that women who received the psychoeducation program had significantly lower levels of childbirth fear and anxiety, and also had a higher likelihood of having a spontaneous vaginal delivery compared to those who did not receive the program.
Reference: Zuhrah Beevi, Wah Yun Low , Jamiyah Hassan. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of a psychoeducation program for women with childbirth fear on maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Am J Clin Hypn, 2019 Apr;61(4):409-425. doi: 10.1080/00029157.2018.1538870.
Study Trial: “Effect of Hypnobirthing Training on Fear, Pain, Satisfaction Related to Birth, and Birth Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial”
Outcome: The study found that compared to the control group, women who received hypnobirthing training reported less fear and anxiety related to childbirth, less pain during labor, higher satisfaction with the birthing experience, and better birth outcomes. Specifically, the hypnobirthing group had shorter labor duration, fewer interventions during labor, and fewer cases of low Apgar scores.
Reference: Gonca Buran, RN, PhD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9082-553X goncaburan@gmail.com and Hilmiye Aksu, RN, PhD Effect of Hypnobirthing Training on Fear, Pain, Satisfaction Related to Birth, and Birth Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Study Title: “The effects of prenatal yoga on birth outcomes: A randomized controlled trial”
Outcome: The study found that women who practiced prenatal yoga had a lower likelihood of preterm labor and low birth weight babies compared to those who did not practice prenatal yoga.
Reference: Leili Yekefallah, Peyman Namdar, Leila Dehghankar, Fereshteh Golestaneh, Soghra Taheri & Frahnaz Mohammadkhaniha The effects of prenatal yoga on birth outcomes: https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-021-03794-6
Please find below summaries of the key studies to date on the use of Hypnobirthing in childbrirth.