Hypnosis : practical applications and theoretical considerations in normal labour.

British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology   1993 Mar; 100(3): 221-6

Jenkins, MW, Pritchard MH, Aberdare District Maternity Unit, Mid Glamorgan, Wales.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the designs of hypnotherapy on the first and second stages of labour in a large group of pregnant women.

DESIGN: A semi-prospective case control study in which women attending antenatal clinics were invited to undergo hypnotherapy.

SUBJECTS: One hundred twenty-six primigravid (first baby) women with 300 age matched controls, and 136 parous women having their second baby with 300 age matched controls. Only women who had spontaneous deliveries were included.

INTERVENTION: Six sessions of hypnotherapy given by a trained medical hypnotherapist during pregnancy.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Analgesic requirements, duration of first and second stages of labour.

RESULTS: The mean lengths of the first stage of labour in the primigravid women was 6.4 hours after hypnosis and 9.3 hours in the control group (P<0.0001); the mean lengths of the second stage were 37 min and 50 min, respectively (P<0.001). In the parous women the corresponding values were 5.3 hours and 6.2 hours (P<0.01); and 24 and 22 min (ns). The use of analgesic agents was significantly reduced (P<0.001) in both hypnotized groups compared with their controls.

CONCLUSION: In addition to demonstrating the benefits of hypnotherapy, the study gives some insight into the relative proportions of mechanical and psychological components involved in the longer duration of labour in primigravid women.