Breathe for easier labour

Breathing in rhythm increases the amount of oxygen you and the baby need. It also helps you cope with the contraction pains, conserve your energy and equip your baby with enough oxygen to cope with the stressful labour process.

How to breathe
Breathe in, have a slight pause, then breathe out. The length and depth of your in and out breathes should match. Or at least, have your out-breath longer than your in-breath. Pause a little before breathing in again. Panicky breathing, which sees you pulling up and dropping your shoulders when you breathe in and out in short gasps … reduces your much needed oxygen. Signs that you may not be breathing well include light-headedness, pins and needles in your fingers, and numbness in your mouth.

Usually, the stronger the contractions, the shallower the breathing. Just make sure the breathing doesn’t turn to panic breathing.

Should you sense panic, think of the word RELAX. You could as well use it in your breathing pattern – ‘Re’ as you draw in air, and ‘relaaaax’ as you exhale.

Obey your midwife
Your midwife shall guide you accordingly, even as you get to the second stage of labour where you are required to push. Do not push until your mid-wife gives you the go ahead. If he/ she gives you the green light, feel free to push as many time as you feel each contraction demand. If you are asked not to push, keep breathing with the phrase ‘I SHALL NOT PUSH’ in mind.

END: PG 48 /36