How Couples Make Meaning of Hypnobirthing: A Heideggerian Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study in Wonosari, Malang, Indonesia

Fear of childbirth involves psychological uncertainty, anticipated pain, and socially transmitted expectations that may influence both pregnant women and their partners. This study examined how married couples in Wonosari, Malang Regency, Indonesia, interpreted hypnobirthing through childbirth anxiety, social relationships, marital participation, and delivery experiences. A qualitative design grounded in Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology was employed. Five married couples (ten participants) were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation, followed by thematic analysis and Heideggerian interpretation. Trustworthiness was addressed through methodological triangulation, negative case analysis, and an audit trail. All five couples described anticipatory childbirth anxiety influenced by interpersonal narratives and social media. Three couples reported substantial improvements in emotional composure, whereas two experienced partial calm associated with irregular practice, limited husband involvement, and expectations of painless childbirth. Physical pain persisted in some accounts despite improved emotional regulation. All five couples described closer marital relationships, while four reported religious meanings involving prayer or gratitude. The findings indicate that hypnobirthing acquired significance through changing interpretations of pain, shared preparation, and relational support rather than pain elimination. Couple-oriented preparation and realistic communication about childbirth expectations may strengthen the experiential relevance of hypnobirthing within community maternal healthcare.