Research: Hypnosis for Childbirth
Research shows that use of hypnosis techniques significantly reduces the lengths of the first and second stages of labour, and reduces or eliminates the need for chemical pain relief.
Length of Labour
Hao et al in China measured the effect of nursing suggestions to labouring women and recommends that the conversation of the nurses be “controlled carefully for the purpose of advancing the birth process”. This randomized control trial examined 60 first time mothers with a matched control group of 60 first time mothers and found a statistically significant reduction (p<0.01) in the lengths of the first and second stages of labour.
Jenkins and Pritchard found a reduction of 3 hours for primigravid women (from 9.3 hours to 6.4 hours, p<0.0001) and 1 hour for multigravid women (from 6.2 hours to 5.3 hours, p<0.01) for active labour (262 subjects and 600 controls). Pushing was statistically shorter for first time mothers (from 50 min to 37 min, p<0.001).
In a study that compared hypnosis and Lamaze training, 96 women chose between hypnosis (n=45) and Lamaze (n=51). The first stage of labour was shortened in the hypnosis group by 98 minutes for first time mothers and by 40 minutes for second time mothers. These women were more satisfied with labour and reported other benefits of hypnosis such as reduced anxiety and help with getting to sleep.
A British study found a statistically significant reduction (p<0.001) in the length of labour of first and second time mothers: 70 hypnosis patients (6 h 21 min) compared to 70 relaxation patients (9 h 28 min) and 70 control group (9 h 45 min).
Mellegren noted a reduction of two to three hours of labour.
Abramson and Heron found a shorter first stage of labour for 100 women trained with hypnosis (by 3.23 hours) compared to a control group of 88 women.
Forty-five Hypnosis for Childbirth (S Gallagher) clients (first time mothers) had an average of 4.5 hours for the active labour, a significant reduction compared to the usual 12 hours.
A compilation of relevant studies on the use of hypnosis in childbirth.
Medication use
In a British study, 55% of 45 patients (first and second time mothers) required no medication for pain relief. In the other, non-hypnosis groups, only 22% of 90 women required no medication.
Two research pieces reported on 1,000 consecutive births: 850 women used hypnotic analgesia resulting in 58 percent rate of no medication.
Five other research pieces reported an incidence of 60 to 79 percent non-medicated births.
A retrospective survey conducted by Shawn Gallagher in Canada in 2001 notes an epidural rate of 18 percent in Southern Ontario, where the epidural rate in most hospitals is 40 to 95 percent (depending on the setting) for first time mothers.
Rates of Intervention
In a randomized control trial of 42 teenagers in Florida, none of the 22 patients in the hypnosis group experienced surgical intervention compared with 12 of the 20 patients in the control group (p=.000). 12 patients in the hypnosis group experienced complications compared with 17 in the control group (p=.047).
Harmon, Hynan and Tyre reported more spontaneous deliveries, higher Apgar scores and reduced medication use in their study of 60 women.
Of the 45 Hypnosis for Childbirth (S Gallagher) clients, 38 delivered without the use of caesarian, forceps or vacuum, a rate of spontaneous birth of 84%. This is a higher than average rate of normal birth for the general population of first time mothers.
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Video Interview
Hypnotherapist Scott Sandland provides us with important information about hypnosis and how it is used in childbirth. Frequently asked questions!