Exploring women's experience of hypnosis in natural childbirth: A phenomenological study

Hypnosis has increasingly been used in recent years to relieve labor pain, yet little is known about the emotional and psychological aspects of women's experiences with hypnosis during childbirth. This qualitative study aimed to explore women's lived experience of hypnosis in natural childbirth using Van Manen's phenomenological approach from 2016. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews with women, using open-ended questions about their experiences of hypnosis in natural childbirth. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling, with initial recruits and their hypnotherapists referring other eligible women. Data saturation was reached after seven interviews lasting between 35 and 55 minutes. The data were coded and analyzed using Van Manen's six-step method. The analysis revealed one core theme: "Eagerness to embrace the turbulence of the childbirth journey," along with four sub-themes - "success and control," "optimum readiness," "receptiveness," and "enjoyment." The findings showed that Iranian women who experienced hypnosis during natural childbirth found it a pleasant experience associated with physical, mental, and emotional preparation for challenges associated with the childbirth experience. This reframing of childbirth as part of the natural life process invited less fear and anxiety regarding the physical and emotional challenges encountered during childbirth. They also reported the enthusiasm and passion they experienced in the process of giving birth to a new human being. Thus, hypnosis in natural childbirth for the participants was experienced as a passionate engagement characterized by a sense of success and control, optimum readiness, emotional receptiveness, and enjoyment amidst the turbulence of the childbirth journey.