A study conducted at the
Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont College of Medicine,
Burlington, USA evaluated the efficacy of hypnotherapy in converting a
breech presentation to a vertex presentation. One hundred pregnant women
whose fetuses were in breech position at 37 to 40 weeks' gestation were
analyzed and a matched comparison group of women with similar obstetrical
and socio-demographic parameters derived from databases for other studies
from the same time period and geographical areas.
Hypnotherapy was given in the form
of suggestions for general relaxation with release of fears and provided
whenever it was convenient and possible for the women until they were
delivered of the baby or the baby converted to the vertex position.
A successful conversion for the
intervention group was scored when the baby spontaneously converted to the
vertex position before delivery or if there was a successful external
cephalic version. The conversion rate of the women receiving hypnotherapy
was compared with a control group who received standard obstetrical care
without the opportunity for hypnosis.
The results revealed that
eighty-one per cent (81%) of the fetuses in the intervention group converted
to vertex presentation compared with forty eight per cent (48%) of those in
the control group, demonstrating a considerable [69%] and statistically
significant therapeutic effect of the hypnotherapy treatment.
The report concluded that
motivated women can be influenced by a skilled hypnotherapist in such a
manner that their fetuses have an increased frequency of conversion to
vertex presentation.
Mehl LE. Hypnosis and conversion
of the breech to the vertex presentation. Arch Fam Med (UNITED STATES) Oct
1994, 3 (10) p881-7
The Abstract of
the study:
Hypnosis for Turning Breech
Baby
From Archives of Family Medicine, Vol. 3, Oct. 1994 Hypnosis
and Conversion of the Breech to the Vertex Presentation Lewis E. Mehl, MD,
PhD Dept. of Psychiatry Univ. of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington
Objective
: To evaluate the effectiveness of hypnosis to convert a
breech presentation to a vertex presentation.
Design
: Prospective case series compared with historical, matched
comparison group.
Subjects
: One hundred pregnant women whose fetuses were in breech
position at 37 to 40 weeks' gestation and a matched comparison group of
women with similar obstetrical and sociodemographic parameters derived from
databases for other studies from the same time period and geographical
areas.
Intervention
: The intervention group received hypnosis with suggestions
for general relaxation with release of fear and anxiety. While in the
hypnotic state women were asked for the reasons why their baby was in the
breech presentation. As much hypnosis was provided as was convenient and
possible for the women until they were delivered of the baby or the baby
converted to the vertex position.
Main Outcome Variables
: A successful conversion for the
intervention group was scored when the baby spontaneously converted to the
vertex position before delivery or successful cephalic version. The
conversion rate of the intervention group was compared with the comparison
group who received standard obstetrical care without the opportunity for
hypnosis.
Results
: Eighty-one percent of the fetuses in the intervention group
converted to vertex presentation compared with 48% of those in the
comparison group. This difference was statistically significant.
Conclusions
: Motivated subjects can be influenced by a skilled
hypnotherapist in such a manner that their fetuses have a higher incidence
of conversion from breech to vertex presentation. Psychophysiological
factors may influence the breech presentation and may explain this increased
frequency of conversion to vertex presentation.
