Hypnotherapy for childbirth.

The birthing process, although often a joyful and proud moment, can also create an overwhelming sense of anxiety. As a result some women are now turning to hypnobirthing to help them to cope. This practice is used to relax women before and during their labour. It also helps encourage a stress free birth and reduce the need for drugs and interventions, such as caesarean section. In this article, Sheila Granger helps to dispel some of the myths surrounding the use of hypnotherapy and looks specifically at its application to childbirth. The role of midwives and the benefits to them are also discussed.