Hypnosis Antenatal Training For Childbirth (HATCh): A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$222,754.00
Summary
Pain and fear associated with childbirth is commonplace. Currently utilised methods of pain relief have limitations and well recognised complications. Evidence suggests that learning self- hypnosis for childbirth may allow mothers to: reduce their need for drugs to relieve pain or to stimulate labour and, increase the chance of having a spontaneous vaginal birth. In addition self hypnosis may reduce a mother's anxiety and the chance of postnatal depression. This trial will take place in the larg ....Pain and fear associated with childbirth is commonplace. Currently utilised methods of pain relief have limitations and well recognised complications. Evidence suggests that learning self- hypnosis for childbirth may allow mothers to: reduce their need for drugs to relieve pain or to stimulate labour and, increase the chance of having a spontaneous vaginal birth. In addition self hypnosis may reduce a mother's anxiety and the chance of postnatal depression. This trial will take place in the largest tertiary maternity unit in South Australia. Women > 34 and < 39 weeks pregnant, who are planning a vaginal birth with one baby lying head first, are eligible to participate. Those women with previous experience of using hypnosis for childbirth; poor English requiring a translator; active severe depression or psychosis under the care of a psychiatrist; or pre-existing pain will be excluded. The women will be allocated by chance into one of three groups; Group 1 participants receive antenatal hypnosis training in preparation for childbirth administered by a qualified hypnotherapist with the use of an audio compact disc on hypnosis for re-enforcement; Group 2 women will receive antenatal hypnosis training in preparation for childbirth using an audio compact disc on hypnosis administered by a nurse with no training in hypnotherapy; Group 3 participants continue with their usual preparation for childbirth with no additional intervention. Women assigned to hypnosis groups commence hypnosis training as near as possible to 37 weeks pregnancy. We plan to recruit 150 women - group. This is the largest well designed trial investigating antenatal hypnosis group preparation for childbirth in late pregnancy. If effective, antenatal hypnosis training would be a simple, inexpensive way to improve the childbirth experience, reduce complications associated with drugs and yield cost savings in maternity care. In addition, this trial will provide clear evidence to guide clinical practice.Read moreRead less
Building Evidence To Improve The Quality And Acceptability Of Maternity Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,067.00
Summary
While most mothers can safely give birth at a local hospital, there are some mothers and babies who are identified as needing greater access to specialist care and sophisticated technologies. This project aims to determine the maternity populations who should be cared for at each of the hospital levels, ascertain the views of mothers and health care professionals about such role delineation and ensure the best use of resources for mothers and babies. Morris brings a good track record as well as ....While most mothers can safely give birth at a local hospital, there are some mothers and babies who are identified as needing greater access to specialist care and sophisticated technologies. This project aims to determine the maternity populations who should be cared for at each of the hospital levels, ascertain the views of mothers and health care professionals about such role delineation and ensure the best use of resources for mothers and babies. Morris brings a good track record as well as experience with both policy and practice organisationsRead moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Decision Aid For The Management Of Pain In Labour And Childbirth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$267,375.00
Summary
Many studies have shown that women want to participate in clinical decisions about the treatments they receive during pregnancy and that involvement in decision making increases satisfaction with maternity care. Decision aids are interventions to help people make specific and deliberative decisions by providing information on the options and outcomes relevant to the person's health. This project aims to develop and evaluate the world's first decision aid for women regarding the management of pai ....Many studies have shown that women want to participate in clinical decisions about the treatments they receive during pregnancy and that involvement in decision making increases satisfaction with maternity care. Decision aids are interventions to help people make specific and deliberative decisions by providing information on the options and outcomes relevant to the person's health. This project aims to develop and evaluate the world's first decision aid for women regarding the management of pain in labour and childbirth. A decision aid for managing the pain of childbirth is both practical and timely because there is a strong evidence base on labour analgesia but a lack of evidence-based information for women. For example, brochures on epidural analgesia outline the advantages of epidurals such as complete amelioration of pain, but do not present any information on adverse obstetric outcomes such as the doubling of risk for an instrumental birth. Most women are willing to experience pain in childbirth but do not want pain to overwhelm them. The decision aid will include a range of available drug and non-drug options for pain relief in labour and childbirth. Each of the options has benefits and risks, and the relative importance of these benefits and risks varies for individual women, a scenario where a decision aid produces the greatest benefit. The pain management decision aid developed in this project will be based on the best most recently available evidence and outcomes. It will incorporate a workbook, audiotape-CD and worksheet that will guide (but not direct) women with their pain management options that best suit them, taking ~30 minutes to complete. The decision aid will be evaluated to assess the impact on women's satisfaction with decision making, knowledge, anxiety and pregnancy outcomes. If successful, the results could be applied to improve consumer information and participation in clinical decisions across a wide spectrum of pregnancy care issues.Read moreRead less
Maternal Health After Childbirth: A Prospective Cohort Study Of 1900 Nulliparous Women Recruited In Early Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,150.00
Summary
Recent research highlights a concerning burden of ill health in recent mothers. Common health problems in the year after birth are chronic exhaustion, persisting pain, urinary incontinence, bowel problems, sexual problems and depression. This study will investigate the incidence, onset, severity and duration of health problems in the first 18 months after childbirth. A major focus of the study will be on the extent to which common health problems affecting women after childbirth occur as new pro ....Recent research highlights a concerning burden of ill health in recent mothers. Common health problems in the year after birth are chronic exhaustion, persisting pain, urinary incontinence, bowel problems, sexual problems and depression. This study will investigate the incidence, onset, severity and duration of health problems in the first 18 months after childbirth. A major focus of the study will be on the extent to which common health problems affecting women after childbirth occur as new problems in pregnancy, or after childbirth. This involves following women having a first child and measuring their health in pregnancy and the first year after birth. 1900 women having a first birth will be recruited to the study in early pregnancy, and followed up until 18 months after the birth. A major aim of the study is to provide stronger evidence about the role of pregnancy and birth factors in physical health problems after birth. In particular, the study will examine the contribution of method of delivery to pelvic floor disorders (urinary and anal incontinence, perineal pain and sexual problems). The study will also examine reasons why many women choose not to discuss physical and emotional health problems with health professionals in the postnatal period. The influence of cultural, social and economic factors on health service use and disclosure of maternal health problems will be explored. The study will provide the first Australian data on new health problems experienced for the first time after childbirth, and the extent to which pregnancy, labour and birth contribute to subsequent ill-health. The findings will provide stronger evidence on which to base the care of women during childbirth,development and evaluation of primary and secondary prevention strategies, and information to women and their families regarding the risks of obstetric procedures, such as caesarean section and vaginal birth assisted with forceps.Read moreRead less