Hypnosis and suggestions in the perinatal period

Hypnosis can contribute to increasing the quality of birth and delivery. In this paper some specific and general techniques will be reviewed. Case vignettes and theoretical considerations will illustrate the rich possibilities of hypnosis in the perinatal period. Among the specific possibilities, examples are provided of how to apply hypnosis to handle the discomfort of pregnancy, to utilize the body mind interaction during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding, and how to apply hypnotherapy to provide reparative experiences in the case of post traumatic symptoms, and even to settle transgenerational issues. As a general framework the empirical result of the interactional hypnosis paradigm, within the psycho-social-biological model of hypnosis is outlined. The importance of hypnosis styles (maternal, paternal etc.) and the possible involvement of the oxytocin system are briefly discussed.