New approach to pre-natal preparation based on biofeedback use

Institute for the human brain RAS, Saint- Petersburg, Russia (head of laboratory of thought and consciousness academician N.P. Bekhtereva).

The authors propose a program of pre-natal psycho physiologic preparation that is based on non-medicine biofeedback (BFB) method. The method is physiologic as it is based on activization of reserve possibilities of the organism.

The objective of the preparation is to assist in good progress of pregnancy and delivery and in good development of a fetus.

The essence of the method is that a patient is trained in controlling and changing the trend of disordered physiologic function that influences the patient's condition and the progress of pregnancy (respiration, muscle and vascular tonus, psycho emotional condition).

The principle procedures are as follows:

1. Training in controlling the cardio-respiratory system with the help of RSA-BFB (biofeedback for respiratory sinus arrhythmia).
2. Correction of the patient's psycho emotional condition with the help of EEG-BFB.
3. Training in controlling muscle activity with the help of EMG-BFB.

After the course of pre-natal psycho physiologic preparation not only do the expectant mothers gain a general impression of how the delivery goes on, but they also acquire the practical habits to behave during delivery. It is very good that they feel less fear of delivery, less fear for their infant's life and health in comparison with the control group. The authors' studies have shown that the frequency of premature and delayed births is decreased by more than 1,5 times in comparison with the control group, usage of medicinal stimulation of delivery, analgesic and spasmolitic medicaments decreased, the quantity of injuries of soft birth throes decreased two times.