Breathing Techniques in Labour
By: andrew001whiteTotal Views: 236, Word Count: 518,
When that first strong pain hits, most women are taken by surprise at its intensity. It is important to learn and practice breathing techniques well ahead of time so that you can use them when the pains start becoming uncomfortable. If you can attend a labour preparation class with your husband, both of you will be ready to handle labour.
Breathing techniques give you something to focus on. When the pains get stronger, many women lose control. Breathing rhythmically enables you to feel in control. Most importantly, proper breathing ensures that you and your baby get an adequate supply of oxygen in labour. Breathing exercises are an important part of pain relief during labour.
Different breathing techniques and exercises can be useful during the different stages of labour.
Breathing techniques in early labour
During the initial stage of labour you must concentrate on your breathing by slowly inhaling and exhaling throughout your contraction. Inhale through your nose and then exhale slowly through your mouth. When you are exhaling, it helps to purse your lips and blow out your breath. Face your husband or partner, focus on his eyes or mouth and hold his hands as you go through the breathing together.
Breathing in the active stage of labour
With the beginning of each contraction, continue to inhale through your nose and inhale through your mouth as you were doing during the earlier part of labour. As the intensity of the contraction increases, you can start to take shallower, quicker breaths. As the contraction reaches its peak, it may help to breathe in and out through your mouth as if you were panting. When the intensity of the contraction begins to lessen, resume rhythmic inhalation. Inhale in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Closer to delivery you may get a strong urge to push. If you are not fully dilated your doctor may as you not to push. Concentrate on your breathing and try not to push at this time.
Breathing and Pushing
Once your cervix is fully dilated, you will be asked to push the baby through the birth canal. For effective pushing use the following breathing technique:
Take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds. Push down into your rectum as if you were severely constipated. After a good push, take a deep breath again and push again if the pain is still there. Once the pain subsides, take a few deep breaths and then relax.
Practice the breathing techniques
Start practicing the breathing techniques with your husband, in the last month of pregnancy. Once you are in labour, it will be difficult to follow a rhythmic breathing unless you have practiced them before.
You and your husband can take classes to learn about childbirth, body conditioning exercises and methods of relaxation. All of these techniques can be used with other treatments for labour pain. Attending labour preparation classes helps relieve the anxiety about labour.
These breathing techniques will help you have a less painful labour and will make the experience of vaginal delivery easier and less traumatic.
About the Author
Andrew White, leading gynecologist, has written a number of useful blogs and medical journals on women health. He is an advisor with Association of Women Health, in USA.
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