Improving birth preparation with the hypnosis online course "The Peaceful Birth": a randomized controlled study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Obstetrics
• Complementary Medicine

Background:

• Pregnancy and childbirth are significantly influenced by stress, anxiety, and expectations.
• Existing methods for managing these factors during pregnancy may have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the German online hypnosis program "The Peaceful Birth" in reducing stress and anxiety during pregnancy.
• To assess the program's impact on childbirth expectations and experiences.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 221 pregnant women.
• Participants were assigned to either a hypnosis group or a control group.
• Standardized questionnaires, including the Perceived Stress Scale and Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire, were administered at four time points.

Main Results:

• The hypnosis group showed significantly reduced stress levels both before and after birth compared to the control group.
• Childbirth expectations and subjective health ratings improved significantly in the hypnosis group.
• Women in the hypnosis group reported more positive childbirth experiences regarding fear, loneliness, and self-efficacy, though pain experience did not differ significantly.

Conclusions:

• The online hypnosis program "The Peaceful Birth" is an effective, low-threshold intervention for improving birth preparation.
• It leads to lower stress, more positive expectations, and enhanced birth experiences for expectant mothers.
• The program represents an efficient method to augment prenatal healthcare services.