Embargo until March 21

As the NHS is funding research into the use of hypnosis and birth (the SHIP tirial), a detailed survey of more than 1250 women who learnt self hypnosis as part of their birth preparation, indicates that these techniques will lead to a significant reduction in caesarean sections. The findings from the online survey are being presented at the 1st World Congress of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology (WCOGA 2011) to be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, during March 20-23.



The results of the survey of 1251 mothers, including 853 first time mums, who listened to the Natal Hypnotherapy CDs during their pregnancy, indicates that women using these techniques are likely to have a more positive, less painful, often less interventionist birth with a significantly lower caesarean rate with only 15% requiring a caesarean compared with the national rate of almost 25%.



A staggering 89% said using the techniques had enabled them to overcome any fears connected with giving birth; 72% reported feeling calm during the birth with 61% feeling able to manage the pain in labour. Overall, 95% of women felt they had benefited from learning self hypnosis as a way to help them have a more positive birth experience.



As the popularity of hypnosis in birth continues to grow in the UK, it is a significant move forward for the NHS to back clinical trials into the use of these techniques as a low cost, safe and practical antidote to the drug-dependent labour management culture that has developed in the UK over the last fifty years.





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Notes to Editors



1. To receive a preview copy of the Natal Hypnotherapy CD and book, to arrange an interview with Maggie Howell or for birth and midwives testimonials, case studies and Natal Hypnotherapy research, please email: maggie@natalhypnotherapy.co.uk, Call 07710 019068 or 01428 712615 and/or visit

www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk.



2. The full paper A RETROSPECTIVE SURVEY ON THE PSYCHOSOMATIC AND PHARMACOLOGICAL OUTCOMES OF WOMEN USING NATAL HYPNOTHERAPY CDS DURING PREGNANCY will be presented by Maggie Howell on March 21st at the 1st World Congress of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology (WCOGA 2011) – Psychosomatic and behavioral perspectives on clinical controversies to be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London.



3. Over 2,300 midwives and birth professionals across the UK are now recommending Natal Hypnotherapy techniques. Hypnotherapy has been an accepted therapeutic practice recognised by the British Medical Association since 1955.



4. Natal Hypnotherapy was awarded the Practical Parenting ‘Pregnancy Product of the Year’ award for its CDs and the Practical Parenting ‘Editors’ award in 2006. The CDs reached the final of these Pregnancy Product awards in 2009 and 2010.

5. Other CDs in the Natal Hypnotherapy range include:

The IVF Companion Home birth preparation* Fast post natal recovery*

Prepare to conceive Prepare for a Caesarean* Breastfeeding companion

Overcoming Morning Sickness Hospital birth preparation* VBAC preparation

Pregnancy Relaxation* Relaxation and Stress Management



*denotes twins version available



6. Natal Hypnotherapy was founded in 2001 by Clinical Hypnotherapist and doula, Maggie Howell (d. Hyp. C. Hyp, LHA,UK HypReg), following the birth of her first child in which she used hypnotherapy techniques which she then went on to develop into the Natal Hypnotherapy product range following further research with mothers and antenatal groups. Maggie has since gone on to have four more children.

