[The role of hypnosis in present-day obstetrics]

There is a present need for the insertion of psychology in teaching and medical practice so that full value and respect can be given to the patient's human side. Psychological assistance during pregnancy is reviewed and a brief account is given of early hypnotic techniques in the Soviet Union. Here, however, note is taken of the fact that attention was initially paid to symptoms alone and not their causes. As these techniques spread throughout Europe, they gradually lost touch with hypnosis and moved into the realm of teaching thus becoming completely ineffective. At present, more complete and more advanced hypnotic techniques are used. These throw particular light on the psychological causes of tension in pregnancy and are suitably backed up by instruction relating to the various problems encountered during gestation.