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Antenatal Hypnosis Training and Childbirth Experience: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Werner Anette,
Uldbjerg Niels,
Zachariae Robert,
Wu Chun Sen,
Nohr Ellen A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
birth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.233
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1523-536X
pISSN - 0730-7659
DOI - 10.1111/birt.12071
Subject(s) - hypnosis , childbirth , randomized controlled trial , medicine , relaxation (psychology) , expectancy theory , pregnancy , natural childbirth , intervention (counseling) , psychology , obstetrics , physical therapy , psychotherapist , alternative medicine , nursing , surgery , social psychology , pathology , biology , genetics
Background Childbirth is a demanding event in a woman's life. The aim of this study was to explore whether a brief intervention in the form of an antenatal course in self‐hypnosis to ease childbirth could improve the childbirth experience. Method In a randomized, controlled, single‐blinded trial, 1,222 healthy nulliparous women were allocated to one of three groups during pregnancy: A hypnosis group participating in three 1‐hour sessions teaching self‐hypnosis to ease childbirth, a relaxation group receiving three 1‐hour lessons in various relaxation methods and Mindfulness, and a usual care group receiving ordinary antenatal care only. Wijmas Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W‐ DEQ ) was used to measure the childbirth experience 6 weeks postpartum. Results The intention‐to‐treat analysis indicated that women in the hypnosis group experienced their childbirth as better compared with the other two groups (mean W‐ DEQ score of 42.9 in the Hypnosis group, 47.2 in the Relaxation group, and 47.5 in the Care as usual group ( p = 0.01)). The tendency toward a better childbirth experience in the hypnosis group was also seen in subgroup analyses for mode of delivery and for levels of fear. Conclusion In this large randomized controlled trial, a brief course in self‐hypnosis improved the women's childbirth experience.