Hypnosis for Pregnancy and Birth

The state of hypnosis may be described a state of deep physical relaxation, but with a focused mind. In this alpha brain wave state the unconscious mind can be more readily accessed, as some of the critical faculties of the conscious mind are temporarily suspended (Mantle 2000). The hypnotic state is known to be a phenomenon that occurs naturally, and we all enter hypnotic-­‐like states for varying reasons, perhaps several times a day (James 2010). Clinical hypnosis simply serves to enhance this natural state and utilise its effects for positive change in an individual. Hypnosis is a voluntary state, and the individual is in control throughout (James 2010). Therefore, it could be argued that all hypnosis is self-­‐hypnosis, even when facilitated by a hypnotherapist.

Its main advantage, as a therapy for pregnant women, is that it appears to be both effective and safe (Mantle 2000). The hypnotherapeutic protocol, around which this assignment is based, concerns the reduction of stress, anxiety and fear in relation to labour and birth. Stress and anxiety associated with a fear of giving birth is very common in pregnancy. Tsui et al. (2006) found that even amongst a group of