Relaxation & Breathing Techniques for Childbirth

A childbirth coach can help a mother use her breathing techniques during labor.

Childbirth breathing techniques work by making the mother focus on her breathing. Instead of thinking about the pain of her contraction, the mother concentrates on breathing. When people are in pain, they are usually tense and hold their breath. The goal is to relieve some of the mother's pain. Practiced breathing during labor is an alternative to resorting to medical intervention for pain, such as epidurals.

Cleansing Breath

A cleansing breath is a deep breath where the woman breathes in through her nose and out through her mouth. It is often used when a contraction is beginning. This breath gives mother and baby more oxygen. It helps her get ready for the contraction and signals to her partner that her contraction is beginning.

Focal Point

A focal point is an object or something in the mom's imagination that helps her concentrate during her contractions and relax. Some people focus on something or someone in the room that they can look at. Others find it helpful to think of somewhere or someone that brings them peace. A focal point is used with all of the paced breathing techniques.

Slow Breathing

A woman in labor can begin slow breathing when her contractions stop her from talking or walking. This technique is similar to the cleansing breath. The mother slowly inhales through her nose, then slowly lets the air out through her mouth. Typically women stop using the slow breathing technique when the slow breathing no longer helps them relax. It should not make the mother feel light-headed.

Accelerated Breathing

After a woman starts the active phase of child birth, she may want to switch to accelerated breathing. With accelerated breathing, the mom takes a cleansing breath when her contraction is starting. Then she inhales and exhales quickly through her mouth during the contraction. She takes about one breath per second. This type of breathing is shallow, rather than a deep breath. The mother's breathing returns to normal when the contraction ends.

Transition Breathing

Transition breathing is a panting breath. It is not deep breathing so it is similar to accelerated breathing, but the exhale used in transition breathing is longer. With this breathing, the mother takes up to 20 breaths in 10 seconds. The mother uses this technique with intense contractions after the accelerated breathing stops relaxing her. The mom's breathing returns to a slower pace when the contraction ends.

References

• Sutter Health: Breathing Techniques
• American Pregnancy Association: Patterned Breathing during Labor