Caesarean Section is a common procedure that nearly one in every three women undergoes during childbirth. This is one of the surgical procedures that often contribute to a lot of anxiety and stress among women, whether it is planned or recommended by doctors during childbirth. It is also associated with serious psychological effects for the mothers undergoing the operation, including porpartum depression. Some of the patients experience a lot of anxiety due to their concern for both their lives and the condition of their babies. It has been determined that anxiety and stress can lead to various limitations that can negatively affect mothers’ well-being and their ability to take care of their lives. Different treatment methods can be used to address these conditions, and hypnosis is one of the behavioural treatment methods that have proved effective in handling some of the complications that arise due to anxiety and stress.
The most effective way of overcoming anxiety, stress and depression, is to be ready to change the situation that is causing these problems through the adoption of a coping mechanism. Hypnotherapy has been identified as an effective treatment method for anxiety and its related disorders. The use of hypnotherapy in treating mothers with anxiety prior to their caesarean section was examined by Mubarokah, Prasetya & Respati (2020) through a study that involved hypnosis induction through played hypnotherapy audio suggestions. This technique was used to induce hypnotic suggestions that would help lower the mothers’ anxiety levels. The researcher analysed the mean difference in anxiety levels before and after the hypnosis sessions. It was determined that the patients who underwent hypnotherapy sessions exhibited lower average anxiety levels compared to those who did not receive the treatment. Thus, this study confirmed that hypnotherapy can induce suggestions or positive affirmations that lead to significant changes in one’s psychological state.
In another study, Anuhgera et al. (2017) examined the efficacy of hypnosis compared to acupressure in inducing the production of prolactin hormone and breast milk in mothers who underwent caesarean section. It is believed that the psychological effects of caesarean section may prevent mothers from initiating breast feeding, and may sometimes produce less milk for their babies. Hypnotherapy was used to encourage self-belief, to induce relaxation and encourage mothers to have sincere intentions for breastfeeding. The participants in this study were taken through different sessions of hypnotherapy to achieve these aims. The results obtained from hypnotherapy were then compared with those of acupressure. It was determined that hypnotherapy is more effective in stimulating the production of prolactin hormone than acupuncture among women who underwent caesarean section. This shows that hypnosis can be used as an alternative therapy for helping women produce enough breast milk for their new-borns.
In sum, mothers who are about to receive caesarean section or those who have undergone the surgical procedure may suffer many psychological effects. These conditions may result in resinous health effects that may compromise their well-being and ability to breastfeed. Hypnotherapy has proved efficient in treating various medical conditions, including anxiety, depression and stress. These studies confirm its efficiency in alleviating mother’s anxiety levels and inducing breast milk production.
References
Anuhgera, D., Kuncoro, T., Sumarni, S., Mardiyono, M., & Suwondo, A. (2017). Hypnotherapy is more effective than acupressure in the production of prolactin hormone and breast milk among women having given birth with caesarean section. Medicine and Clinical Science.
Mubarokah, R. I., Prasetya, H., & Respati, S. H. (2020). The Effectiveness of Hypnotherapy to Reduce Anxiety in Pre-Caesarean Section Women. Journal of Maternal and Child Health, 5(1), 12-18.
Melvin S. Marsh is a certified hypnotherapist serving Atlanta GA, Augusta GA, Statesboro GA, and Savannah GA. He performs hypnotherapy appointments both in person and worldwide virtually. He can be reached at www.afterhourshypnotherapy.com .
