Patterned breathing during labor

Patterned breathing refers to the act of breathing at any number of possible frequencies and depths. Some women prefer to breathe deeply, using a diaphragm to fill their belly with air. Other women prefer to breathe lightly, inhaling just enough to fill their chests. The goal is to find breathing patterns that have a calming and relaxing effect. Your breathing should be at a comfortable pace and should not make you short of breath or dizzy.

The more you learn about childbirth, the more you will see how different breathing patterns are used at different stages. You will learn how to use your breath to make every contraction a productive part of the labor process. Whether you are pregnant or not, patterned breathing is helpful in dealing with various types of pain, discomfort, anxiety, and fear.

Benefits of practicing patterned breathing

Breathing becomes an automatic response to pain.
Mother remains more relaxed and responds more positively to pain
Regular breathing rhythm calms down during labor
Provides a sense of well-being and control
Increasing the amount of oxygen gives more strength and energy to mother and child
Brings purpose to every fight, making fights more productive
Rhythmic breathing and relaxation can be methods of coping with the daily stressors of life.

How to practice patterned breathing

Traffic jams, headaches and housework give you the opportunity to practice various breathing techniques and incorporate them into your daily routine. To simulate childbirth, some obstetricians suggest holding an ice cube in your hand while practicing effective breathing techniques.

How to start

At the beginning and end of each contraction, remember to take a deep, cleansing, relaxing breath. This not only sharpens your focus, but also delivers more oxygen to your baby, muscles, and uterus.

Breathing in the first stage of labor

Slow breathing

Start breathing slowly when the contractions are so strong that you cannot walk or talk without pauses. Use slow breathing for as long as you need. Switch to another pattern if you become tense and can no longer relax during contractions.
Take an organizing breath, a big breath at the beginning of the contraction. Release any tension (soften from head to toe) as you exhale.
Focus your attention.
Slowly inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth, exhaling all the air with a sigh. Pause until the air "wants" to enter again.

With each exhalation, focus on relaxing different parts of your body.

Light accelerated breathing

Most women experience the need to switch to light breathing at some point during the active phase of labor. Let the intensity of your contractions help you decide if and when to use light breathing. Inhale and exhale rapidly through your mouth at a rate of about one breath per second. Keep your breath shallow and light. Your breaths should be quiet, and your exhalations should be clearly audible.

Take an organizing breath - take a deep breath as soon as the contraction begins. Release any tension (soften from head to toe) as you exhale.
Focus your attention.
Slowly inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Speed up and ease your breathing as the intensity of the contraction increases. If the fight reaches its peak early, you will need to speed up at the start of the fight. If the peaks are more gradual, you will slow down to maximum speed. Keep your mouth and shoulders relaxed.
As the respiratory rate increases towards the peak of the contraction, inhale lightly and exhale through the mouth. Breathe shallowly and easily, at a rate of approximately one breath per second.
As the intensity of the contraction decreases, gradually slow down the frequency of breathing, returning to inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.
When the contraction is over, take the last breath - exhale with a sigh.

Variable (transition) breathing

This is a variant of easy breathing. Variable breathing combines light, shallow breathing with longer or steeper periodic exhalations. Alternate breathing is used in the first stage if you feel overwhelmed, unable to relax, hopeless, or exhausted.

Take an organizing breath - take a deep breath as soon as the contraction begins. Release any tension (soften from head to toe) as you exhale.
Focus your attention on your partner or focus, such as a picture.
Breathe through your mouth in light, shallow breaths at a rate of 5 to 20 breaths per 10 seconds throughout the contraction.
After every second, third, fourth or fifth breath, exhale deeply. You can try vocalizing this longer exhalation with "who" or "fu".
When the contraction is over, take one or two deep, relaxing breaths.
Breathe to avoid pushing at the wrong moment

There will be times in both stages of labor when you want to push or push, but now is not the time. Most women want to hold their breath during these especially difficult times. Try not to hold your breath by constantly inhaling and exhaling, lifting your chin, puffing or panting. This stops you from adding to the push your body is already doing.

Breathing in the second stage of labor

Expulsion Breathing

It is used after the full disclosure of the cervix and the beginning of the second stage of labor.

Take an organizing breath - take a deep breath as soon as the contraction begins. Release any tension (soften from head to toe) as you exhale.
Focus on the baby's moving down and out movement or other positive image.
Breathe slowly, allowing yourself to be guided by the contraction. Speed up or ease your breathing if necessary for your comfort. When you can't resist the urge to push (when it "demands" you to join it), take a deep breath, tuck your chin into your chest, arch your body, and lean forward. Then press down while holding your breath or exhaling slowly while growling or groaning. Most importantly, relax your pelvic floor. Help the child to descend by relieving tension in the perineum.
After 5-6 seconds, release your breath, then inhale and exhale. When the urge to push takes over, join us to push down. How hard you press depends on how you feel. You will continue to do this until the contraction stops. The urge to push comes and goes in waves during the contraction. Take advantage of these breaks to breathe deeply, oxygenating your blood and your baby.
When the contraction is over, relax your body and take one or two calming breaths.

Tips to help relieve dry mouth during labor

While breathing, touch the tip of the tongue to the palate just behind the teeth. This slightly humidifies the air you breathe.
Spread your fingers, loosely cover your nose and mouth so that your palm reflects moisture from your breath.
Drink fluids or suck on ice cubes between contractions.
Brush your teeth or periodically rinse your mouth with mouthwash.