Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is using hypnosis for relief from hyperemesis gravidarum, a more extreme form of morning sickness.
In early December 2012, Middleton was rushed to a hospital due to intense nausea and lack of appetite, but now she is experiencing the benefits of hypnosis to calm her stomach and help her consume nutrition.
It's not surprising that Kate Middleton sought out hypnotic help for morning sickness. Hypnosis has a long history of alleviating digestive discomfort. In addition to studies demonstrating how helpful it is for IBS, clinical trials showed how effectively hypnosis alleviates hyperemesis gravidarum as early as 1965.
In the 1999 article, "Medical Hypnosis for Hyperemesis Gravidarum," researchers Simon and Schwarz point out that hypnosis is helpful for women experiencing common morning sickness as well as its more extreme cousin.
Hypnosis serves as an adjunct to conventional medical care in several ways. First, it promotes relaxation, which on its own has been shown to alleviate many gastrointestinal symptoms. Second, hypnosis employs imagery that encourages the body to regulate digestive functions more effectively. Third, hypnosis helps to change unconscious responses, reprogramming the body to substitute pleasant reactions to food in the place of nausea.
Best of all, a hypnosis session is an enjoyable experience free from unpleasant side-effects often associated with medical procedures. Be sure to seek out a competent and well-trained hypnosis practitioner for help with morning sickness symptoms.
