Unexpected consequences: women’s experiences of a self-hypnosis intervention to help with pain relief during labour

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Peter Whorwell¹  Helen Spiby⁵  Helen Carr²  Susan Hinder³  Soo Downe⁴  Kenneth Finlayson⁴ 

[1] Centre for Gastrointestinal Sciences, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK;Royal Bolton Hospital, Minerva Road, Farnworth, Bolton, Lancashire, UK;RaFT Research, Lower Hall, Main Street, Downham, Clitheroe, Lancashire, UK;Research in Childbirth and Health Unit (REACH), School of Health, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK;Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

关键词: Women;    Childbirth;    Labour;    Pain relief;    Self-hypnosis;   

Others  :  1228404
DOI  :  10.1186/s12884-015-0659-0

 received in 2015-04-16, accepted in 2015-09-16,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

Self-hypnosis is becoming increasingly popular as a means of labour pain management. Previous studies have produced mixed results. There are very few data on women’s views and experiences of using hypnosis in this context. As part of a randomized controlled trial of self-hypnosis for intra-partum pain relief (the SHIP Trial) we conducted qualitative interviews with women randomized to the intervention arm to explore their views and experiences of using self-hypnosis during labour and birth.

Methods

Participants were randomly selected from the intervention arm of the study, which consisted of two antenatal self-hypnosis training sessions and a supporting CD that women were encouraged to listen to daily from 32 weeks gestation until the birth of their baby. Those who consented were interviewed in their own homes 8–12 weeks after birth. Following transcription, the interviews were analysed iteratively and emerging concepts were discussed amongst the authors to generate organizing themes. These were then used to develop a principal organizing metaphor or global theme, in a process known as thematic networks analysis.

Results

Of the 343 women in the intervention group, 48 were invited to interview, and 16 were interviewed over a 12 month period from February 2012 to January 2013.

Coding of the data and subsequent analysis revealed a global theme of ‘unexpected consequences’, supported by 5 organising themes, ‘calmness in a climate of fear’, ‘from sceptic to believer’, ‘finding my space’, ‘delaysand disappointments’ and ‘personal preferences’. Most respondents reported positive experiences of self-hypnosis and highlighted feelings of calmness, confidence and empowerment. They found the intervention to be beneficial and used a range of novel strategies to personalize their self-hypnosis practice. Occasionally women reported feeling frustrated or disappointed when their relaxed state was misinterpreted by midwives on admission or when their labour and birth experiences did not match their expectations.

Conclusion

The women in this study generally appreciated antenatal self-hypnosis training and found it to be beneficial during labour and birth. The state of focused relaxation experienced by women using the technique needs to be recognized by providers if the intervention is to be implemented into the maternity service.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Finlayson et al.

【 图 表 】

Fig. 1.

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