Proper breathing makes childbirth easier
During the birth, the midwife present will give you instructions on how to support the birth with correct breathing. In birth preparation courses, midwives try to convey the most important tips in advance and practice with the participants. This way you can better implement the midwife’s instructions during the birth.
Breathing exercises in childbirth class
Your breathing plays a major role during birth, because you supply your baby and yourself with oxygen and gather strength and concentration for the birth process. Concentrating on breathing distracts you from the pain of childbirth .
That is why breathing exercises are also taught in the birth preparation courses. If you practice them a little before the birth, you will be able to implement the midwife’s instructions more easily during the birth. Your partner can also be a great support. He can breathe loudly during the birth and help you to find the right rhythm. It is therefore great if he attends the birth preparation course with you or if you explain the breathing exercises to him beforehand.
In the video above you can see some breathing exercises you can do to prepare. This means you don’t have to concentrate as much on the midwife’s instructions during the birth.
Breathing in the opening phase of labor
Contractions come and go at a certain rhythm. The closer the birth of the child is, the less distance there is between the individual contractions. In this phase of labor, it is best to take a deep breath at the beginning of the contraction, breathe into your belly towards your baby and then slowly let the air out again. Deep tones like “Ahhh” or “Ohhhh” help some women exhale slowly. It is best to breathe calmly and regularly in through your nose and out through your mouth. After the contraction, just like when you started the contraction, you can breathe in deeply and breathe out slowly. If you feel your mouth getting dry, drink a sip of water during the breaks in labour.
Breathing in the transitional phase of birth
If you feel a strong pressure on the pelvic floor, but the midwife instructs you not to give in to the urge to push, breathing is particularly important. This is where the famous “panting” comes into play, which is often shown in films. You breathe in deeply at the beginning of the contraction and then breathe out in many small bursts without breathing in again in between. It’s similar to blowing out lots of birthday candles one after another, or panting a dog. You can repeat this breathing until the end of the contraction. When the contraction is over, it is good to take a deep breath in and out through your open mouth.
Breathing during the expulsion phase of labor
Labor is most painful during what is known as the “expulsion” phase. The child slides down the birth canal and the woman giving birth responds by reflexively pressing. Many are relieved that they can now actively participate in the press. At the beginning of a so-called pressing contraction, it is best to take a deep breath and then hold your breath and push down. However, you should not hold your breath for too long, after all you have to supply yourself and the baby with oxygen. If you feel like you need air again, breathe in again and then hold your breath again and keep pushing. A rule of thumb is to breathe and push about three times per contraction. After the contraction subsides, breathe deeply again and try to recover. It is particularly important to calm your breathing again,
Oxygen deficiency in hyperventilation
If you panic or get scared during labor, your breathing will stop. The body tenses up. Hyperventilation can threaten. This affects breathing, because when you hyperventilate, your breathing speeds up and you feel like you’re short of breath. As a consequence, you try to breathe in deeper and harder, breathing in more than you breathe out. The paradox is that despite increased breathing activity, this leads to an undersupply of oxygen in the brain. Dizziness, blurred vision and lightheadedness occur.
Fear and panic are not uncommon, but the body cannot keep up this state of hyperventilation for long. Proper breathing then plays an important role in bringing the condition back to normal and regaining strength. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to focus on the calm, deep breathing that was practiced in childbirth class. The midwife present and your partner will also help you.