Which is the best breathing method during labor?

Answer 1

Slow deep breaths are best.

Do not hold your breath during contractions as this may begin pushing the baby too soon.

If you push too soon, you could rip your cervix causing severe bleeding and requiring surgery.

Relax as much as possible between contractions.
Hold off on the epidural as long as possible.
I have known many a woman who had an epidural and later regretted it, it causes long term problems with your back.

I have had 3 babies natural, yeah it hurts like heck, but it is so worth it,

Try a visualasion, imagine your favorite thing, like the ocean,
close your eyes, and while breathing slow and steady, in through the nose, out through the mouth.

Imagine the ocean, the color of the water, the sand, how warm it was under your feet, the shells strewn across the sand,
the white of the sea foam as the waves broke.
the sound of the waves as they crashed to shore.
the sound of teh seagulls cring out their greetings.
the sky and how impossibly blue it was,
how the warm sun kissed your skin
all the while, breathing, breathe in for a count of 10, out for a count of ten.
keep visualizing and breathing.
Before you know it, the baby will be in your arms!

Answer 2

well, I am no expert but considering I have had 5 children, I guess I could offer some advice!
What worked best for me, was breathing really heavy like when you breathe in a paper bag, you know what I mean?
But honestly if this is your first baby, you won't even care if you are breathing when the time comes!
You will just be begging the doctor to get this baby out of you as fast as possible!

Also, I agree with the woman that said she had her children naturally, I did too, the first 3 and it was so much easier, hurts, yeah but for a shorter amount of time than with medication which can prolong the labor! I wish I could have had them all naturally but alas that was not the case! I hope this helps you and God bless you and your family!

Answer 3

Don't just count on breathing. You need other coping methods to go along with it.

Taking deep, slow, relaxed breaths can really help.

There are also other times (waiting to push, for example) that panting might help.

You need more than just breathing techniques in your bag of tricks. Massage, counterpressure, using a birth ball, changing positions, squatting, using a rocking chair, aromatherapy, soaking in a birth tub, taking a hot shower, dancing with your partner, walking, rocking on hands and knees, visualization, etc.

Get a copy of The Birth Partner by Simkin and you can learn a lot about the risks and benefits of procedures/drugs and also a lot of ways to cope during labor.

Answer 4

I didn't use any breathing method even though especially the last couple of weeks i spent tons of time going over and over the ones in my book. When it came time, I listened to my body and followed my intuitions. I did keep holding my breath after a while, and wouldn't realize until the doctors told me to breathe. I had to keep it on my mind and remind myself to breathe the last little bit of it. Didn't have to worry about how, just had to remember to do it period.

Answer 5

It's one that not many people know about...it's called the Epidural Method. LOL

My contractions were so painful and so strong, I completely forgot about the specific way to breathe that I was taught in my childbirth education class. I would tense up, hold my breath and wait for the contractions to pass. I remember several times, my husband actually having to remind me to breathe, period. Forget this in out in out whoo whoo whoo in out in out stuff.

Answer 6

The easiest way to breath during labour is slow deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. They teach you all types of breathing techniques in prenatal class but they are out the window the first time you feel pain.
We say slow did breaths because a lot of women tend to hyper ventilate and then they feel nauseous and dizzy, so just remember slow deep breaths in through your nose out through you mouth.

Answer 7

there is no single best breathing technique when in labor there is only the one that comforts you best . tip: do each one for 1 week do it when you are really angry or upset. after trying each one you'll know what one makes you more relaxed

Answer 8

what ever makes you comfortable at the time tell the nurses to screw off if they push you in a direction that does not work for you!!! and trust me sometimes you have to be very firm with that...lol