The use of hypnosis in pre-conception and early pregnancy problems Literature review

The use of hypnosis in pre-conception and early pregnancy problems - Literature review Example Stress is one of the main road blocks that develop when a couple is unable to conceive and this further exacerbates the problem. Clinical hypnosis is a way to calm the nerves and make the patient feel like they're in control of the situation. Clinical hypnosis is being used to help women through all stages of conception and pregnancy as discussed in the following lines; Natural Conception: Hopeful parents never turn to IVF before having explored all options in natural conception. About ten percent of the couples having difficulty to conceive are being diagnosed with 'unexplained infertility'. The purpose that hypnosis serves here, has to do with the basic definition of it, it reduces stress and helps clean out the negative thoughts culminating in the couples. It is believed that what we think has an effect on our physical selves, so hypnosis is being used to keep all those fears at bay. In Vitro Fertilization: In Vitro Fertilization is a route that many people take when natural conce ption doesn't work. It's a well known fact that IVF takes a toll physically, emotionally as well as financially. A study conducted by Professor Eliahu Levitas and his team (2004) at Soroka Hospital, Israel,the success rate of IVF treatment can possibly be doubled using various hypnosis techniques. The professor's research was focused on the effect of hypnosis during the embryo transfer. Patients were asked to think of pleasant experiences during the embryo transfer and a hypnotic state was induced by a therapist during the procedure. After the procedure was done, patient was instructed to be calm and positive before breaking the hypnosis. The results of this study indicated that twenty eight percent of the couple undergoing ET with hypnosis had successful implantations as compared to the controls where it was merely 14% (Levitas, 2006:1404-1408). Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Now moving on to early pregnancy problems, one of the most common problems that gets women hospitalized in their f irst trimester is Hyperemesis Gravidarum. "HEG is a clinical diagnosis characterized by severe and intractable vomiting and it often associated with weight loss, ketonuria, dehydration, metabolic alkalosis, and electrolyte disturbances." (Nayeri, 2012:22). It is a serious problem that must be quickly diagnosed and then treated, since it can deteriorate and harm the mother and the foetus if not taken care of. Diagnosis: Diagnosis is done with a 2 tiered approach, physical and chemical. Physical examination should include weight, temperature, blood pressure, heart rate etc but importantly, signs of dehydration should be looked for - like dry mucous membranes and poor skin turgor. Although HEG is diagnosed clinically, some laboratory investigations may be helpful like urine ketones, urine specific gravity and serum electrolytes to detect any derangements in the volume status. Other blood tests can be done to exclude any other diseases (Nayeri, 2012:24). Management: Management of HEG in volves a few objectives, like lessening the nausea, correcting dehydration and any other electrolyte imbalances along with it, and maintaining maternal weight. There are two types of measures that can be taken, pharmacological and non-pharmacological. To start with, considerable evidence has accumulated that intake of multivitamins during the period of conception and