Women’s experiences with hypnobirth – A qualitative study

• Published in: Sexual & reproductive healthcare 2023-09, Vol.37, p.100890, Article 100890
• Main Authors: Uldal, Tiril, Østmoen, Marita Strand, Dahl, Bente, Røseth, Idun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Childbirth experience; Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Hypnobirth; Labor, Obstetric; Mental preparation; Pain; Parturition; Phenomenology; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care; Qualitative Research; Qualitative study; Self-hypnosis
• ISSN: 1877-5756; 1877-5764; 1877-5764
• DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100890

•Hypnobirth classes offered a perspective on birth as a meaningful and existential event.•Knowledge of physiological processes gave women confidence and trust in their labouring body.•Hypnosis techniques helped maintain a focus on the birthing process and a sense of control.•The preparations resulted in a good childbirth experience, regardless of the course of events. Hypnobirth is a technique that incorporates elements from hypnosis and is used to prepare women for birth. It aims to promote a normal birth and create a positive birth experience by equipping women with knowledge and tools to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain during labor. The objective of this study was to investigate women's experiences in using this technique during childbirth. Qualitative study with nine in-depth interviews, analysed using a descriptive phenomenological method. The women changed their perspective on birth and got to know their inherent resources. They acquired various coping strategies and techniques that enhanced their sense of control. The women gained ownership of their birth and found their active participation to be meaningful. They were informed of different options concerning their birth which made it possible to make informed decisions. The participation in hypnobirth classes, and personal experience from giving birth, made women wish for integration of mental birth preparation in the public health service, thus strengthening women’s trust in ther ability to give birth, which was pivotal to the participants’ birth satisfaction. The participants experienced an empowered birth because of the knowledge, coping strategies and mental training they gained from hypnobirth classes.