Questions about Hypnobirthing?

I haven’t, but would like to with my next pregnancy. It is one of the few forms of alternative pain relief that has some scientific proof behind it (although to be fair many of the other forms haven’t been subject to enough testing).

Following is a quote from a Cochrane Library review on alternative pain relief in labour. The Cochrane Library conducts rigorous scientific literature reviews on 1000’s of topics. It’s an international organisation. Governments subscribe to the library on behalf of their country.

“Current available evidence shows that hypnosis reduces the need for pharmacological pain relief, including epidural analgesia in labour. Maternal satisfaction with pain management in labour may be greater among women using hypnosis. Other promising benefits from hypnosis appear to be an increased incidence of vaginal birth, and a reduced use of oxytocin augmentation. There was no evidence of any adverse effects on the mother or neonate. Potentially, medical hypnosis could be used alone for pain relief as part of a woman’s care during childbirth. In practice, however, hypnosis may be best seen as an adjunct to facilitate and enhance other analgesics.
“Overall, currently available data suggest that hypnosis is effective as an adjunctive analgesic during labour and is associated with a decreased use of oxytocic augmentation and an increased likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth. Acupuncture also appears beneficial in the provision of pain management during labour.”
http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD003521/frame.html