Breathing Techniques For Labor
Breathing techniques during labor vary depending on the rhythm of the contractions and the timing. We tell you in detail what they consist of and how they help.
Breathing techniques during labor give a lot to talk about today. They have become one of the essential pillars in preparing for the time of delivery.
Breathing techniques are known to help a mother cope with labor. They activate the circulatory system and help maintain muscular effort. They even relieve pain that, as we well know, is very intense.
On the other hand, these techniques also improve the oxygenation of the baby. It’s about taking deep breaths at a steady pace. In this article we explain what these techniques consist of so that you are prepared when giving birth.
How do breathing techniques help in childbirth?
Holding deep, rhythmic breathing during labor has many benefits. In fact, this is backed by scientific evidence. For example, a study published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine concludes that:
Likewise, they are related to a reduction in the number of assisted deliveries. This has a simple explanation. Due to the feeling of tension and pain , breathing tends to become rapid and shallow. This reduces the amount of oxygen you breathe in and give your baby. In fact, it also causes your muscles to work with less force.
Knowing breathing techniques that help you face this moment of fear and tension allows the breathing to be deeper. By getting the right amount of oxygen, you will reduce the risk of complications for your baby.
What breathing techniques are used?
The mainstay of these techniques is to breathe in steadily through the nose. You have to do it in a calm way. Afterwards, you should expel the air through your mouth, without pressing your lips together. It is very important not to hold your breath during labor.
Keep in mind that breathing techniques change as labor progresses. Therefore, below we will explain how this sequence occurs.
Start of labor
This is the time when the contractions start, but they are still quite a long time apart and not as accelerated. Slow or abdominal breathing is usually used in this phase.
- This technique consists of gently inhaling air through the nose while the abdomen swells.
- Then try to expel the air, slower than inhaling, through your mouth. Try to breathe out three times more than you breathed in.
- Between one breath and another, the ideal is to take a short pause. This breathing technique helps manage the rhythm of contractions and relieve pain.
Advancement of contractions
As the contractions increase, the best technique is light accelerated breathing. In this phase, it is totally normal for breathing to accelerate.
- This technique is based on inhaling in a shorter way. However, it is necessary to continue doing the same: the air is taken through the nose and expelled through the mouth.
- You should try to breathe in a little air when the contraction begins. Then try to exhale it when the contraction ends. This can be done in several expulsions or in one.
During this phase, breaths are usually taken at chest level, as it takes more rapidity to maintain the baby’s oxygen levels (and your own!).
The final moment
When it is time to deliver the baby, the breathing technique commonly used is called the expulsion breath.
- It consists of inhaling a large amount of air until you have the sensation of having filled your lungs.
- When the urge to push is very strong, you should tilt your chin toward your chest. As you push, let the air out little by little. Every time this happens, repeat the technique.
- Ideally, between effort and effort you breathe naturally to recover.
In conclusion
Breathing techniques for childbirth are very helpful as they help relieve pain and cope with contractions with strength and energy. It is normal for you to be afraid that the time will come and to be afraid of forgetting these preparations for childbirth.
However, training courses and midwives make these techniques almost intuitive during childbirth. However, try to practice these techniques before the time comes.
