Haptotherapy as a new intervention for treating fear of childbirth: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of haptotherapy on severe fear of childbirth in pregnant women.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Community midwifery practices and a teaching hospital in the Netherlands.

Treatment of severe fear of childbirth with haptotherapy: design of a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background: About six percent of pregnant women suffer from severe fear of childbirth. These women are at increased risk of obstetric labour and delivery interventions and pre- and postpartum complications, e.g.