Fear of CHILdbirth and physiologicaL stress (CHILL)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Examining the effect of complementary therapies on physiological and psychological measures of stress for post dates pregnant women.
IRAS ID
135663
Contact name
Tara Pauley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Hinchingbrooke NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
In 2012-13 over 140,000 women went beyond Estimated Delivery Dates (EDD) in pregnancy, resulting in intimate and invasive induction techniques to start labour (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2013). Standard methods of Induction of Labour (IOL) may not be successful and are not always a positive experience for women. A Cochrane review on membrane sweeping (an internal vaginal procedure) concludes there is little evidence for it being clinically beneficial and to consider women’s discomfort (Boulvain, Stan and Irion, 2010), yet NICE advocates sweeping (NICE, 2010). Induction has been associated with a less positive birth experience (Hildingsson et al, 2011) and post dates women worry about the effect of induction on themselves and the loss of a natural birth (Gatward et al, 2010).
It has been proposed that stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system inhibits labour (Dick-Read, 1959). Therefore, since stress has an impact on the sympathetic nervous system (Jones & Bright, 2001), stress, anxiety or fear of childbirth, may delay labour onset.
Complementary therapies may facilitate a reduction of stress, anxiety and fear leading to spontaneous labour. The effect of massage causing a reduction in stress hormones has been evaluated (Moyer, Seefeldt & Arran, 2013), but not for post dates pregnant women.
An increasing number of complementary therapy clinics are utilising a combined accredited regime of acupressure, reflexology and aromatherapy massage all together, for post dates pregnant women to encourage spontaneous onset and avoid medical induction (West Middlesex NHS Trust, 2013; Hinchingbrooke NHS Trust, 2013; Countess of Chester NHS Trust, 2014). The aim is to explore whether the accredited regime facilitates a reduction in stress, fear and anxiety and secondly if they make spontaneous onset of labour more likely.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1903
Date of REC Opinion
14 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion