How to Breathe During Labor

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How is a woman in labor breathing? Most women will be either holding their breath or be breathing fast and shallow to try to counteract the pain.

With my third baby, my nurse almost had to slap me out of it. I was in so much pain and so out of it that she yelled into my face “YOU NEED TO BREEEAAATHHHEEE.”

It’s seriously SO important!

Hyperventilating or holding your breath are not okay!

These techniques are from the beginning of labor all the way to the end 🙂

Knowing how to breathe properly during labor is one the best tools, hands down, that you can use during labor and delivery.

Breathing comes so naturally that we don’t think about it which is great- if you’re not in labor.

When you’re in pain, your body will want to hold the breath or hyperventilate. This is not good!

Here are the best labor breathing techniques:

Use these techniques to help get through labor and delivery.

The Destresser Breath: helps take away the stress and helps you relax

How to do it:

1. Place your hands on your tummy.
2. Breathe in through your nose for 4-6 seconds while imagining your tummy is a balloon you’re filling up.
3. Slowly exhale through your mouth for 6-8 seconds.
4. Repeat.

Transition Breathing: short, shallow and helps to resist urge to push

How to do it:

1. Take 2 shallow breaths in.
2. Exhale 2 shallow breaths out.

The “J” Breath: helps to release tension while pushing baby out

How to do it:

1. Deep breath in through your nose.
2. Exhale while making a low moaning sound. Keep abs tightened. Imagine the sound sweeping from your through down past your uterus and birth canal in a “J” motion.
3. Practice while pooping. This is the closest sensation you’ll get to giving birth!

Please watch the video below to see the techniques demonstrated! If you’re wondering WHEN you’ll go into labor click here.