What Is Hypnobirthing? A Clinical Review
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What is Hypnobirthing? A Clinical Review
Matthew Kondracki, Maryjane Rowland, Nathan Larson, Daniel Kirksey
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Authors Notes: It is important to remember that hypnotic analgesia has been around for
centuries, but only now may we be able to understand its potential to a degree never seen before.
What Is Hypnobirthing? A Clinical Review
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Abstract
Hypnobirthing is the concept of using a hypnotic trance like state to create a perceived analgesic
effect throughout the mind and body during labor. This is done through rigorous hypnotic
training and should be done by certified trainers so that the patient can properly alter their
cognitive process for pain relief. hypnobirthing is just a subset of the possibility of hypnotic
analgesics in the clinical. The idea of hypnobirthing has been around since the late 1700s and is
only now being further explored. Only now have studies shown, compared to other methods liker
the Bradley Method, have shown any positive results that may illicit possible exploration of
hypnobirthing. Some researchers and medical professionals who have explored deeper into
hypnobirthing through the creation of studies have concluded that hypnotic analgesic for labor
may not be as effective as we once thought, but the general accepted idea is that not enough
research has been put forth to totally deny is potential uses for pain relief.
Key words: hypnotic, analgesic, training, researchWhat is Hypnobirthing?
Hypnotherapy by definition is the induction of a trancelike state of heightened suggestibility or
compliance, with the subject passively receiving ideas, images, or instructions from the hypnotist
(Middleton's Allergy 2014). This alternative birthing process creates the hypnotic state of subconscious
susceptibility to alter the patient's cognitive processes, resulting in pain relief. This integrative mind‐
body technique has the potential for therapeutic relief during the birth and labor process (Beebe 2014).
While using the technique the mother has the ability to perceive the childbirth process in a hypnotic
state to mainly reduce the symptoms of severe pain that occur during childbirth instead using a hypnotic
state rather than obstetric analgesia.
Origins of Hypnobirthing
Marie Mongan developer of HypnoBirthing describes in her book, HypnoBirthing: A Celebration
of Life, the entirety of the method's purpose regarding the birthing process is to create an analgesic
reaction for the mother actively in labor. The central concept written in the words of Mongan is that
"the belief that every woman has within her the power to call upon her natural maternal instinct to birth
her babies in joy and comfort in a manner that most mirrors nature (Mogan 1989)" Hypnobirthing
preparation goal is to portray to birth positively with the belief that childbirth does not have to be
painful. Teachings include the skills of deep relaxation, visualization, self-hypnosis, etc. (Mongan, 2005,
p. 6; Walker, Visger, Rossie, 2009).
From as far back as 1784, the Royal Commission on Animal Attraction has concluded authentic
clinical results can only be explained by the patient’s imagination, resulting in hypnotic therapies being
widely contested (McMahon 2013). Only now, studies have been somewhat focused on Hypnobirthing.
Previous research work performed by Baxby and Freeman in 1989 reported in their study, 50
participants who had a history of incontinence had completed 12 sessions of hypnotherapy in a span of
as little as a month. After the prescribed hypnotherapeutic treatment, twenty-nine women claimed to
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be entirely symptom-free, 6 showed no improvement, and 14 reported some improvement while
participating in this study (Siepel).
How is Hypnobirthing done and Evidenced-Based Practice and Research Studies pertinent to
Hypnobirthing…
Hypnotic changes in the acute pain experience are further associated with a reduction in the
activation observed nervous system pathway changes that can alter the perception of pain or
contractions in both the sensory and effectively depending on the stimulus. Reinterpretations of the
meaning of pain, dissociation, and focused analgesia reflect different psychological mechanisms of
hypnotic analgesia that may connect other brain processes (McMahon). There is no proper structure to
the treatment of hypnotic analgesia, whereas the patient's perception is always individualized and
based on the power of suggestion; therefore, it is all up to the individualized patient to be able to use
positive suggestions, visualizations, and mental state of minds to help ease the birthing process. There is
evidence that hypnotic analgesia has potential in a clinical setting, but there is still a strong need for
improvements in the methodology of clinical studies (McMahon). It is expressed that our best chance to
reach a clinical outcome supporting hypnotic analgesia, we must further compare like- and unlike
analgesic forms.
A 2016 study included nine randomized controlled trials of hypnosis; in eight trials, only two
groups had prepartum and active labor was also engaged in hypnotic analgesia. Women in the hypnosis
group were less likely to use pharmacological analgesia, but the evidence was of deficient quality
(Chestnut, 2020). The authors included this study, and the general conclusion is that more extensive
trials should be determined and further evaluated using two processes and applying them to clinical
studies and trials. One study had found that there was no recommendation of one method over the
other.
To date, there are no well-designed studies of the Bradley Method, and the available data is
based on self-reported outcomes (Chestnut, 2020). Once again, the general conclusion from this study
has shown that hypnobirthing has plausible reactions when testing the treatment of hypnotic analgesia
compared to the Bradley method. Still, in all, none of these methods have enough studies were enough
proper causative evidence to support that these two methods reduce pain in the birthing process and
prepartum.
One study was done that was able to further compare other methods to "ease" the process of
childbirth. This particular comparison was what's between hypnobirthing and what is commonly known
as the Bradley method. Both of these processes are somewhat similar, but the whole backing/reasoning
behind each process is different. The Bradley method tries to understand and encourage the primal and
natural way of birth that is commonly seen throughout the Animal Kingdom, whereas hypnobirthing is
trying to put the woman in a particular state of mind through a set of psychological means and
advances. One thing in particular that I have noticed before delving further into the results of the
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studies evaluation is that both of these methods are both lacking in proper and structural design for
effective and repetitive/persistent results.
When evaluating these two processes and applying them to clinical studies and trials, one study
found that there was no recommendation of one method over the other. To date, there are no welldesigned studies of the Bradley Method, and the data that is available is based on self-reported
outcomes (Varner, 2015). Once again, the general conclusion from this study has shown that
hypnobirthing actually has plausible reactions when testing the treatment of hypnotic analgesia
compared to the Bradley method, but in all, none of these methods have enough studies were enough
proper causative evidence to support that these two methods actually reduce pain in the birthing
process and prepartum.
Pros and cons of Hypnobirthing…
Dr. Robert Bradley, an obstetrician/gynecologist, developed the method in 1947. Doctor Bradley
was born in Nebraska and raised on a farm where he was able to observe these animals in their natural
birthing process and saw their natural instincts of birthing seemingly take control over the process and
guide these mammals. When comparing the Bradley method compared to hypnobirthing, you can see
that some pros of hypnobirthing are that you may not need as much physical setup beforehand because
the goal of hypnobirthing is to alter the mind's perception on said things. The Bradley method states
that it must need darkness, solitude, quiet, physical comfort during the first stage of labor, physical
relaxation, controlled breathing, need for closed eyes/appearance of sleep, and usually supportive
coach/husband (Walker et al., 2009). This demonstrates the severity of variables and conditions that
must be accounted for to properly perform the Bradley method whereas hypnobirthing really only
requires education and training. (Walker et al., 2009).
From another article that delves deeper into the arguments of hypnobirthing's relevancy let's
come up also with a series of conclusions that may help organize with many top professionals within
their line of work have seemed to agree on other than the very last conclusion because a simple answer
to that question has been answered by many other specialists in this field.
The answer to fixing the last part of the conclusion is by taking part in more advanced,
specialized, and isolated manners too really see direct results on a numeric and physical scale. the issue
at hand is how to tie “one-an-one.” In Chestnut’s words the cons for hypnobirthing can include
prepartum training sessions are required, trained hypnotherapists must be available during labor, and
offering no clear results. Therefore, hypnosis is unlikely to attain widespread use during childbirth (
Chestnut, 2020).
References:
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Beebe KR. Hypnotherapy for labor and birth. Nurs Womens Health. 2014
Feb-Mar;18(1):48-59. doi: 10.1111/1751-486X.12093. PMID: 24548496.
Chestnut MD,David H. in Chestnut's Obstetric Anesthesia,Childbirth Preparation and
Nonpharmacologic,2020
Madden K., Middleton P., Cyna A. M., Matthewson M., Jones L. (2012). Hypnosis for pain
management during labour and childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews, 11, CD009356. 10.1002/14651858.CD009356.pub2
Mongan M. F. (2005). HypnoBirthing: The Mongan method: A natural approach to a safe,
easier, more comfortable birthing (3rd ed.). Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications.
Seipel, T., & Schauss, A. G. (2020). Textbook of natural medicine - 2-volume set (Fifth ed.,
Vol. II) (J. E. Pizzorno & M. T. Murray, Eds.). CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE.
Varner C. A. (2015). Comparison of the Bradley Method and HypnoBirthing Childbirth Education
Classes. The Journal of perinatal education, 24(2), 128–136.
https://doi.org/10.1891/1946-6560.24.2.128
Walker, D. S., Visger, J. M., & Rossie, D. (2009). Contemporary childbirth education
models. Journal of midwifery & women's health, 54(6), 469–476.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmwh.2009.02.013