Mental Training and Childbirth
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00914082 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : June 4, 2009
Last Update Posted : March 18, 2013
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Labour pain is a challenge to the parturient woman. Pain relief methods during birth are limited and often associated with side effects. Several studies indicate that a mental trainings method, self hypnosis, has a positive impact on the labour pain and other birth outcomes.
The aim of this randomized controlled study is to examine the effect of a short antenatal course in self hypnosis on the use of epidural analgesia during birth and several other birth outcomes. Data collection includes questionnaires, register data, medical records and biological material.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Childbirth Pain | Behavioral: Self hypnosis | Not Applicable |

Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 1222 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Double (Care Provider, Investigator) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | The Effect of Mental Training on Childbirth Measured on Pain Experience and Other Birth Outcomes |
Study Start Date : | April 2009 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | August 2011 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | March 2013 |
Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: antenatal classes in self hypnosis
3 antenatal classes in self hypnosis. 3 audio compact discs for homework in self hypnosis and 1 audio compact disc for birth
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Behavioral: Self hypnosis
3 antenatal classes of 1 hour. 3 audio compact discs for reenforcement. 1 audio compact discs for support at birth
Other Name: Hypnosis |
Active Comparator: relaxation and awareness
3 antenatal classes including training in relaxation methods and mindfulness.3 audio compact discs for homework and 1 for birth.
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Behavioral: Self hypnosis
3 antenatal classes of 1 hour. 3 audio compact discs for reenforcement. 1 audio compact discs for support at birth
Other Name: Hypnosis |
Control
Only receive ordinary antenatal care and no additional interventions
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Behavioral: Self hypnosis
3 antenatal classes of 1 hour. 3 audio compact discs for reenforcement. 1 audio compact discs for support at birth
Other Name: Hypnosis |
- The use of epidural analgesia during birth [ Time Frame: At birth ]
- Length of birth [ Time Frame: At Birth ]
- Birth progression at arrival at birth department [ Time Frame: arrival at birth department ]
- Birth experience (pain, control, anxiety) [ Time Frame: 6 weeks p.p. ]
- Medical interventions during birth including mode of delivery [ Time Frame: At birth ]
- Hemorrhage during birth [ Time Frame: At birth ]
- Saliva cortisol profile at birth and 6 weeks p.p. [ Time Frame: at birth and 6 weeks p.p. ]
- Infection during birth and the first 6 weeks p.p. (mother and child) [ Time Frame: at birth and during the first 6 weeks p.p. ]
- Postnatal depression [ Time Frame: 6 weeks and 6 month p.p. ]
- Breastfeeding duration [ Time Frame: 6 weeks and 6 month p.p. ]
- Childs condition and wellbeing at birth and 6 months later [ Time Frame: At birth and 6 month p.p. ]
- Future mode of delivery [ Time Frame: 6 month p.p. ]

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | Female |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Singleton pregnancy
- Nulliparous
- Planning a normal and vaginal birth
Exclusion Criteria:
- Poor understanding of Danish
- Psychological and psychiatric problems
- Medical disorders

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00914082
Denmark | |
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital Skejby | |
Aarhus, Aarhus N, Denmark, 8200 |
Principal Investigator: | Anette Werner, Ms of healthsc, Ph.Dstudent | Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital Skejby | |
Study Chair: | Niels Uldbjerg, MD, Professor | Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital Skejby | |
Study Chair: | Ellen A Nøhr, ass. professor | University of Aarhus, Department of Epidemiology | |
Study Chair: | Bobby Zachariae, MD, Professor | Aarhus University Hospital, Psychooncology Research Unit | |
Study Chair: | Aase M Hansen, senior researcher | National Research Center for the Working Enviroment |
Responsible Party: | University of Aarhus |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00914082 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
M-20080200 |
First Posted: | June 4, 2009 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | March 18, 2013 |
Last Verified: | March 2013 |
Self hypnosis Hypnosis mental training antenatal training |
pregnancy pain control Childbirth Analgesia |