Is hypnosis an effective alternative to medical therapy for hyperemesis gravidarum?

Abstract

Background/Aim: Not only because of the deterioration of the general condition of pregnant women, but also considering the extra burden of long hospitalizations, in patients with hyperemesis alternative treatments become even more important. The aim of this study was to determine whether medical hypnosis is an effective and tolerated treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy thus can be a good alternative to medical therapy for pregnant women with severe hyperemesis that would require hospitalization. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted with 40 pregnant women who were hospitalized for hyperemesis gravidarum between 6-20 weeks of pregnancy. The PUQE test was performed in a face-to-face interview to determine nausea and vomiting severity. All patients were given the same medical treatment and hypnosis was performed with alternate patients after stabilization, by the same trained hypnotist. After the day of hypnosis all patients were again given the PUQE test. The groups were compared according to PUQE test results, the length of hospital stay and the time of first enteral feeding. Results: The groups were similar in terms of socio-demographic characteristics. The median PUQE scores were lower and the median hospitalization time was significantly shorter in the hypnosis group (P<0.001; P=0.010). The hypnosis group switched to oral nutrition earlier than the control group and this was statistically significant (P=0.034). Conclusion: Hypnotherapy should be regarded as the treatment of choice in hyperemesis gravidarum, not only by increasing women’s emotional well-being during pregnancy but also reducing unnecessary and prolonged hospitalizations.