Perinatal Hypnosis

Overview

Perinatal hypnosis is a specialized application of therapeutic hypnosis dedicated to supporting pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. This practice developed from the 1950s with Grantly Dick-Read's work on fearless childbirth, then was enriched by Ericksonian hypnosis contributions. The HypnoBirthing program, created by Marie Mongan in 1989, widely popularized this approach.

Perinatal hypnosis is based on the observation that fear and muscle tension are the main factors amplifying pain during childbirth (Dick-Read's fear-tension-pain syndrome). By teaching the pregnant woman self-hypnosis and deep relaxation techniques, this vicious cycle is broken, allowing the body to function according to its natural physiology.

Core Principles

• Breaking the fear-tension-pain cycle: replacing fear with confidence, tension with relaxation, transforming pain perception
• Body trust: a woman's body knows how to give birth; hypnosis helps remove psychological barriers that hinder this natural process
• Self-hypnosis and autonomy: the woman learns techniques she will use independently during labor and delivery
• Hypnotic anesthesia: glove anesthesia and dissociation techniques significantly reducing pain perception
• Partner involvement: the partner learns to guide hypnosis techniques during labor

Main Indications

• Childbirth preparation (natural or cesarean)
• Fear of childbirth (tocophobia)
• Pregnancy nausea and vomiting
• Prenatal anxiety
• Pain management during labor
• Scheduled cesarean preparation
• Perinatal grief
• Baby blues and postpartum depression prevention
• Fertility support (stress reduction)

Session Structure

A complete program includes 4 to 6 sessions, ideally starting from the 5th month of pregnancy:

1. Session 1 — Assessment and demystification: exploring birth-related fears, deconstructing negative beliefs, first light hypnosis experience
2. Session 2 — Deep relaxation techniques: self-hypnosis learning, glove anesthesia technique (hand becomes numb then transfers numbness to belly)
3. Session 3 — Pain management: replacing "pain" with "intense sensations," hypnotic breathing techniques, visualization of cervical dilation as a balloon gently opening
4. Session 4 — D-day preparation: progressive acceptance of delivery, anchoring keywords and signal gestures for the partner
5. Sessions 5-6 — Consolidation: technique repetition, preparation for unexpected events (emergency cesarean, epidural), positive postpartum projection

Variations

Marie Mongan's HypnoBirthing is the most structured program, with 5 sessions of 2h30 each. Lise Bartoli's hypnonatal combines Ericksonian hypnosis and sophrology. Some maternity wards integrate hypnosis into their care protocol with trained midwives. Hypnosis can be used alone or alongside epidural (reducing required dosage). Studies have shown perinatal hypnosis reduces analgesic use by 30-50% during labor.

Contraindications

• Pathological pregnancy requiring constant medical monitoring (hypnosis does not replace medical care)
• Active psychotic disorder
• Untreated obstetric trauma history (requires specific therapeutic work before birth preparation)
• Partner or medical team refusal (environment must be supportive)