The Effect of Pregnancy on Hypnotizability

Last year I became certified as a HypnoBirthing Practitioner. Even before that, I truly saw the benefits of hypnosis, not only for birth. It is for prenatal, post partum, and actually, for life.

This study is from the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Jul 2009.

Conclusion:

Our study supports previous research (Tiba, 1990) suggesting that hypnotizability increases in pregnancy. If confirmed, the increase in hypnotizability during pregnancy should help emphasize to practitioners that hypnosis is particularly worth considering as a non pharmacological analgesic adjunct during pregnancy and childbirth. Hypnosis for childbirth has been associated with less use of sedatives and analgesia, and increased satisfaction with pain management, increased incidence of vaginal birth and higher Apgar scores (VandeVusse, Irland, Berner, Fuller & Adams, 2007; Smith, Collins, Cyna, & Crowther, 2006; Cyna, Andrew & McAuliffe, 2006). Hypnosis in childbirth is not widely used despite such positive findings and in spite of the fact that it does not appear to be associated with serious complications associated with medical interventions (Cyna, McAuliffe & Andrew, 2004). It also serves as an option for women wanting to experience a more natural labor. Our study findings suggest that it would be reasonable for hypnosis to be considered of potential value during late pregnancy and childbirth even if women are found to be categorized as 'low hypnotizability' prior to becoming pregnant.