Hypnosis May Reduce Pain,
Complications of Labor
By Suzanne Rostler

NEW YORK, Jun 12 (Reuters Health) - Self-hypnosis during childbirth may ease some of the pain of labor, lower the risk of medical complications and reduce the need for surgery, results of a study suggest.

Hypnotherapy has been shown to reduce pain and the need for anesthesia, as well as ease anxiety and fear during childbirth. And using hypnosis during pregnancy to prepare women for delivery may be key since it gives them a sense of control over the experience, according to a report in The Journal of Family Practice.

To investigate, researchers at the University of Florida in Gainesville assigned 42 pregnant teenagers to receive either counseling or four sessions of childbirth classes that taught self-hypnosis. Teens in the hypnosis group learned deep relaxation and imagery techniques to help them cope with the pain of delivery. They also received suggestions to help them respond to possible complications and boost their confidence in their ability to manage anxiety.

According to the results, only 1 of 22 patients in the hypnosis group remained in the hospital longer than 2 days after delivery, compared with 8 of 20 patients who did not learn self-hypnosis. Similarly, none of the patients in the hypnosis group needed a surgical intervention, compared with 60% of those in the non-hypnosis group.

In addition, fewer patients in the hypnosis group experienced complications such as high blood pressure or vacuum-assisted delivery; opted for medical anesthesia or Pitocin, a drug that induces contractions; or required medication after delivery.

"This study provides empirical data demonstrating that the use of hypnosis in preparing pregnant women for labor and delivery reduces the risk of complications, decreases the need for medical intervention...and promotes safer, more comfortable delivery for mother and child," study co-author Dr. Paul G. Schauble, told Reuters Health. "We anticipate this will lead to a reduction in the costs involved in childbirth."

Schauble explained that the hypnosis procedure used in the study aimed to help mothers feel a sense of control, manage their anxiety about giving birth, and give them confidence about the outcome.

The Journal of Family Practice 2001;50:441-443.

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