Hypnosis and Natural Childbirth (the scientific data).

Hypnosis has been widely used in obstetrical care (childbirth and midwifery), particularly in in hypnotic childbirth training. August (1960a), for example, performed more than 1,000 deliveries using hypnosis as the sole anesthetic. There are a variety of advantages that may result from the use of hypnosis is obstetrics. Hypnosis may be successfully used to reduce pain in delivery, reducing the need for medications and chemo-anesthesia, thereby eliminating its risks and post-delivery effects for both mother and child. Hypnosis has been proven successful and the sole anesthetic for child birth for between 58% and 79% of cases (August 1960, 1961; Fuchs, Marcovici, Peretz & Paldi, 1983; Mody, 1960; Mosconi & Starcich, 1961), with the average among studies of 69%.

Another potential advantage of hypnosis is seen in the widespread reports suggesting that it may reduce the average duration of the delivery by two to four hours (Abramson & Heron, 1950; Callan, 1961; Davidson, 1962; Fuchs et al, 1983; Mellegren, 1966).

Another important area of hypnosis is in the care of patients with stress leading up to the delivery. The incidence of premature birth has not decreased significantly in recent years (Caritis, Edelstone & MuellerHeubach, 1979) despite advances in technology; hypnosis has the potential to enhance patient care and minimise risks for such patients. Hypnosis and self-hypnosis training may modify negative attitudes, anxieties and fears concerning childbirth.