The use of HypnoBirthing during labour and effect on epidural use: A retrospective cohort study

Background

HypnoBirthing is a long established, popular and internationally used prenatal education approach that utilises self hypnosis techniques. However very little research exists on the efficacy of HypnoBirthing as a means of managing labour pain. This retrospective study assesses the effect of the HypnoBirthing program (Mongan Method) on analgesia use during labour.

Data sources will consist of routinely collected clinical data from the Mater Mothers’ Hospital Matrix dataset from January 2013 – December 2023 , Clinical outcomes will be compared to a control population of birthing women using propensity matching of demographic, clinical and potentially confounding variables. The main outcome of interest is the difference in rate of epidural use between groups.