But does hypnobirthing actually make childbirth easier?
On this issue, the findings are mixed. A 2016 Cochrane Review Nine clinical trials involving nearly 3,000 women reported that those who used hypnosis reported no less pain or more satisfaction with their childbirth than women who did not.
Some programs claim that self-hypnosis can not only be a panacea for pain and fear, but can also reduce the number of medical interventions needed during labor. The HypnoBirthing Institute reported in 2011, for example, that those who completed her program were less likely to have Caesarean sections, episiotomies (surgical cuts to enlarge the opening of the vagina), or continuous fetal monitoring during labor compared to American mothers who did not have not used hypnobirth. But this finding has not been published in a peer-reviewed journal. And with statistics like these, selection bias can also be a problem: Women who choose (and can afford) to take these childbirth classes may be healthier or have lower-risk pregnancies. the average.
Additionally, the Cochrane review found that women who used hypnosis during labor were no less likely to have Caesarean sections than women who did not; and while they were 27% less likely to use pain relievers such as nitrous oxide and narcotics overall, they were just as likely to have an epidural. (Women were randomly sorted into hypnosis groups or control groups to avoid selection bias.)
Still, some research suggests that women who have used self-hypnosis during labor are happy they did. In a 2015 clinical test involving 680 women, the researchers found that those who self-hypnotized felt less scared and anxious during labor than they expected. Most also later reported having had positive experiences saying that hypnosis helped them feel calm, confident and empowered before and during childbirth. “They had started out as skeptics, but ended up being very positive about the technique, as were their partners,” said Dr Soo Downe, Ph.D., one of the authors of the clinical trial and professor in midwifery studies at the University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom. “Many continued to use it after the birth of their babies.”
According to the Cochrane review, however, the existing research on hypnosis during labor is weak and difficult to interpret, so it is difficult to draw clear conclusions without more and better research. It is also a difficult method to study, as researchers cannot monitor the effectiveness of the technique in pregnant women and their instructors, and therefore the effectiveness of their self-hypnosis. A woman’s experience with hypnosis can also be shaped by her surroundings: frequent interruptions at a hospital or birthing center, such as hourly checkups or exams, can hamper her ability to stay focused, which “goes against the success of hypnosis,” Dr. Beebe says.
Additionally, hypnosis may not be suitable for everyone. In rare cases, it can cause headaches and dizziness for unknown reasons; and there is some evidence that in women with a history of mental illness, hypnosis can exacerbate certain symptoms, such as psychosis. Another potential problem is that women using self-hypnosis can be so calm and silent during labor that doctors and nurses may assume they are earlier in their labor than they actually are. “Staff should carefully assess the progress of labor in these women, even if they appear very calm and relatively painless,” said Dr Downe.
Ultimately, the decision to try self-hypnosis is individual and depends on the type of childbirth you want and your priorities (although you should always consult with your provider before trying it). Although, of course, births don’t always go as planned. If you and your doctor think it’s safe and want to try hypnobirthing, why not? And if you want an epidural, that’s fine too.
[Read our guide on how to make a birth plan that’s right for you.]
Melinda Wenner Moyer is a mother of two and a science journalist who writes for Slate, Mother Jones, Scientific American and O, Oprah magazine, among other publications.
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