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Hypnotherapy can be used during pregnancy and childbirth to attempt to treat a number of issues. These range from fears and minor health conditions related to the pregnancy, to the possibility of reducing or eliminating pain during labor.
General use during pregnancy
Evidence suggests there may be value in using hypnosis for a wide range of pregnancy related problems,such as heartburn, high blood pressure and postnatal depressioncitation needed. Practitioners believe that during pregnancy and prior to birth, the use of hypnosis can significantly shorten labor and reduce the need for intervention. Practitioners also believe that babies born to mothers who have used hypnosis to relax and calm themselves will sleep and feed better. However there is little scientific evidence to support these claims.
Hypnotherapists who specialize in hypnosis for childbirth can offer a tailored approach geared towards individual women. This is especially important if they have additional phobias or fears associated with childbirth. This can include needle phobias, fear of hospitals or even fear of pregnancy itself.
Hypnosis for labor
Hypnosis can also be used as a pain relief method during labor. Obstetrician Grantly Dick-Read first wrote about the phenomenon in the 1930's in his work on natural childbirth and since the 1980's a range of different techniques have been developed that utilize hypnosis in a natural childbirth. These include the Mongan method (also known as hypnobirthing), the Lamaze method, and the Natal Hypnotherapy method.
A post-review of patients who had used hypnotherapy for labor was published in 2004 in the British Journal of Anaesthesia 2004 (93(4):505-511) by A.M Cyna, G.L. McAuliffe and M.I. Andrew. The review suggested that there was evidence of the reduced need for pharmacological analgesia but a more substantial trial was required. Subsequently there is a major controlled trial currently underway in Adelaide, Australia which is seeking to conclusively prove that hypnosis can a make a significant difference to women in pregnancy and laborcitation needed.
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- This page was last modified on 18 August 2008, at 19:41.
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