Background and Objective: This case report examines the effects of hypnotherapy on labor duration and maternal well-being in a primigravida patient with childbirth-related anxiety.
Case Presentation: The patient, a 28-year-old woman, underwent 8 hypnotherapy sessions during the third trimester, with the final session occurring during active labor. Each session, based on Hammond’s protocol, focused on deepening relaxation, managing pain, and enhancing coping strategies. The patient demonstrated a significant anxiety reduction, with a 69% decrease in Vandenberg pregnancy anxiety questionnaire (PRAQ) scores. Upon hospital admission at 8 cm dilation, labor progressed rapidly, and delivery completed within 30 minutes, suggesting that hypnotherapy may have contributed to a shortened labor.
Conclusion: The patient reported a positive childbirth experience, minimal discomfort, and effective postpartum recovery. These findings support the potential of hypnotherapy as a non-invasive approach to reduce anxiety and improve childbirth outcomes, although further research with larger samples is needed to generalize these results.
Type of Study:
case report |
Subject:
Psychology Received: 2022/12/5 | Accepted: 2023/04/1 | Published: 2024/04/1