Self‐hypnosis for coping with labour pain: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objective To estimate the use of epidural analgesia and experienced pain during childbirth after a short antenatal training course in selfhypnosis to ease childbirth.Design Randomised, controlled, single-blinded trial using a threearm design.Setting Aarhus University Hospital Skejby in Denmark during the period July 2009 until August 2011.Population A total of 1222 healthy nulliparous women.Method Use of epidural analgesia and self-reported pain during delivery was compared in three groups: a hypnosis group receiving three 1-hour lessons in self-hypnosis with additional audiorecordings to ease childbirth, a relaxation group receiving three 1-hour lessons in various relaxation methods and mindfulness with audiorecordings for additional training, and a usual care group receiving ordinary antenatal care only.Main outcome measures Primary outcome: Use of epidural analgesia. Secondary outcomes included self-reported pain.Results There were no between-group differences in use of epidural analgesia-31.2% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 27.1-35.3) in the hypnosis group, 29.8% (95% CI 25.7-33.8) in the relaxation group and 30.0% (95% CI 24.0-36.0) in the control group. No statistically significant differences between the three groups were observed for any of the self-reported pain measures. ConclusionIn this large randomised controlled trial of a brief course in self-hypnosis to ease childbirth, no differences in use of epidural analgesia or pain experience were found across study groups. Before turning down self-hypnosis as a method for pain relief, further studies are warranted with focus on specific subgroups.

The Effect of Self-Hypnosis on Exam Anxiety and Stress Among University Students

“…A person can use selfhypnosis through a guide of hypnotic induction procedure. 10 Self-hypnosis techniques allow people to become both self-sufficient and confident.…”

“…Generally, subliminal suggestions are involved in the CDs in order to reduce people's anxiety and stress. Some studies have revealed that self-hypnosis is an effective approach for reducing insomnia 12 , labour pain 10 , depression 13 , anxiety, and stress. 14,15 These results are compatible with the present study, which was aimed to determine the effect of self-hypnosis on exam stress in nursing students at a university located in the Black Sea region of Turkey.…”

Healthcare professionals’ attitudes, knowledge and self-efficacy levels regarding the use of self-hypnosis in childbirth: A prospective questionnaire survey

“…Interest in and use of self-hypnosis in labour is increasing (Whitburn et al, 2014;Werner et al, 2013;Walker et al, 2009;Wainer, 2001). In a national survey of 23,000 women using maternity services in England in 2013 by the Care Quality Commission, 34% of women planned to use hypnosis, breathing and massage when giving birth (Care Quality Commission, 2013).…”

“…In maternity, a Cochrane review concluded that hypnosis may reduce the overall use of pharmacological analgesia during labour although not epidural use, but further high-quality research is needed (Madden et al, 2016). Since this review, there have been three large randomised-controlled trials undertaken in Denmark, Australia and the UK (Werner et al, 2013;Cyna et al, 2013;Downe et al, 2015) which studied the efficacy of hypnosis and found no significant reduction in the primary outcome (use of epidural anaesthesia). However, the recent UK-based SHIP Trial (Self-Hypnosis for Intrapartum Pain) did find a significant reduction in postnatal fear and anxiety (Downe et al, 2015).…”

“…In relation to their trial, Werner et al (2013) commented that midwives had little or no knowledge of hypnosis, and this lack of awareness may have hindered the hypnotic process.…”