| Methods |
Single‐blind, randomised controlled trial. The allocation sequence was not stated and no details were reported on blinding or concealment. |
| Participants |
82 primiparous women, with a normal pregnancy and who wished to avoid an epidural. Women were recruited from an antenatal clinic in England. |
| Interventions |
Women were seen individually on a weekly basis from 32 weeks. Women were encouraged to imagine warmth in one hand and shown how to transfer this to the abdomen. The control group received standard antenatal care. |
| Outcomes |
Duration of pregnancy, duration of labour, analgesic requirements and mode of delivery. |
| Notes |
Thirteen (15%) women were excluded due to obstetric complications and four women failed to attend hypnosis. No power calculation and no baseline characteristics presented. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
