Have you heard of ‘nocebo effect’ before?
The nocebo effect is different to general fear or uncertainty. The nocebo effect is the opposite of a placebo effect: it is the absolute belief in a negative outcome. In Latin it means “I will harm”.
Do you think it affects women in labour?
I would argue that if your medical care provider suggested that your baby was too big, too small, not positioned optimally, or at risk in some way, it can actually lead to problems arising. A women starts to doubt, and then gradually becomes convinced something is wrong – she doesn’t relax, her blood pressure increases, her ability to birth naturally becomes inhibited, and a medical issue arises (failure to progress, incompetent cervix, distress in baby, failure to start labour). This mind-over-matter effect is very real. It can lead to genuine medical problems.
Women who enter pregnancy and birth without knowledge, who put their trust completely in their care providers, may be at greatest risk of the nocebo effect. Care providers may only have to mention risks or side effects, and susceptible women can start believing it is happening. Likewise, women who do not trust their care provider but present with genuine medical difficulties may not respond to treatment effectively because of negative emotions involved with the care provider.
Perhaps this nocebo effect is why it is crucial that maternity care systems need to change. We need to make a systemic shift into Relationship-Based Care, where a mother develops mutual trust with her care providers, where her decisions are supported, her birth map is acknowledged and respected, and she can choose the location of her birth, has freedom to move as she needs and give birth in whatever position she needs. Many studies show that in such conditions, birth is quicker and less painful, with far better outcomes for mother and baby (short- and long-term).
Compassionomics, has shown us that caring does make a difference and does not ask more of a care provider. The Birth Map Approach to birth preparation is designed to support care providers in supporting the women in their care. It provides a structure that builds a bridge for effective communication, preventing the nocebo effect, and supports respectful maternity care.
You can Map Your Birth, creating pathways, and coming to understand how to navigate them. The book The Birth map was designed to help you navigate your options and come to the decision that is right for you. Join the free member access to flip through the book and discover The Game of Birth.