Breathing techniques during childbirth to make it smooth and easy

"Take a breath, ma'am. Come on, take a breath, Ma'am, slowly ”, similar breathing technique sentences are familiar to doctors or midwives when they are helping mothers during childbirth. Come to think of it, how to catch your breath during childbirth is so important that the doctor or midwife reminds her many times.

In fact, the practice of catching your breath is the key to a smooth labor or delivery. So, what is the correct breathing technique during childbirth?

The importance of proper breathing technique during childbirth

Preparation for childbirth is not only determining the place of delivery and luggage. However, mothers also need to prepare breathing exercises for childbirth.

Actually, there are various types of childbirth such as normal delivery, caesarean section, water birth, gentle birth, to hypnobirthing.

However, this breathing technique during childbirth is more likely to be used in normal labor, whether giving birth at home or giving birth in a hospital.

Doctors agree that applying proper breathing techniques during childbirth is one way to make labor go smoothly without hindrance.

Yes, how to catch your breath during childbirth can makes it easier for the mother to control her pain.

This is because breathing techniques that are irregular and too fast during childbirth make it difficult for the mother to get oxygen.

In fact, oxygen is clearly needed during childbirth. The more oxygen you can get, the better feeling of calm you will have.

In addition, the more oxygen it also makes the more energy you have so you can push the baby out.

Interestingly, regular breathing techniques during childbirth will also reduce the tension you feel.

This reduced tension you feel can help reduce pain during contractions.

The more you focus on managing slow and steady breathing continuously, the automatically less painful the sensation of contractions will be.

When the mother giving birth makes no effort to catch her breath, the effect can be the opposite.

Mothers who give birth usually feel tense, afraid, or panicked. When the mother feels tense, afraid, or panicked, her breathing tends to be shorter and faster.

Focusing on these things will reduce the amount of oxygen the body can use to calm itself and for the baby.

In fact, the mother may also experience dizziness and difficulty controlling herself to focus on childbirth.

Therefore, although it seems trivial, applying the proper way of breathing during childbirth is very important law.

Apply this breathing technique during childbirth

The techniques that mothers need to master in normal delivery are not only how to push during childbirth, but also breathing techniques during childbirth.

There is a breathing technique that mothers can also do called the Lamaze method.

The Lamaze method is a technique used to assist pregnant women during normal delivery by focusing on controlling their breathing.

The normal delivery process is divided into three stages, namely the opening of the cervix (cervix), the stage of pushing and expelling the baby, to expelling the placenta.

At the stage of the cervix opening, there are three phases that the mother must go through, including the initial (latent) phase, the active phase, and the transitional phase.

The breathing technique used during childbirth needs to be understood and mastered well by mothers. This is because the way you catch your breath during childbirth can vary in each phase.

The following are different breathing techniques during childbirth in each phase that mothers need to know:

Initial (latent) phase

Mothers are advised to practice breathing to stay regular in this early phase of childbirth even though they experience contractions.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, here are the breathing techniques during the early stages of childbirth:

1. Take regular breaths. Start with as many breaths as you can when the contraction begins, then exhale afterward.
2. Focus your attention.
3. Inhale slowly through your nose, then exhale through your mouth.
4. Make sure you focus on relaxing your body with each inhalation and exhalation as you breathe out.

Active phase

The active phase in the normal delivery process is usually characterized by strong contractions as the cervix widens.

Not to forget, it is important to keep applying proper breathing techniques when you enter this active phase of childbirth.

Here's how to catch your breath when you enter the active phase of childbirth:

1. Take a breath regularly. Start with as many breaths as you can when the contraction begins, then exhale afterward.
2. Focus your attention.
3. Inhale through your nose, then exhale through your mouth.
4. Regulate your breathing as best you can as the force of the contraction increases.
5. If the contractions seem to increase at the beginning, try not to be out of breath.
6. Likewise, if the contractions increase gradually, adjust your breath to relax your body.
7. Breathing rate accelerates as contractions increase, so try to inhale and exhale slowly through your mouth.
8. Maintain a regular breathing rate for about 1 breath every 1 second, then exhale.
9. As the force of the contraction decreases, slow down your breathing rate.
10. Gradually, return to breathing by taking a breath in through your nose and expelling it through your mouth.
11. When the contractions are finished, take as many breaths as possible and then exhale them all while exhaling.

Transition phase

The mother is said to have entered a transitional phase when the cervix (cervix) has fully opened up to 10 centimeters (cm).

This means that soon the mother will enter the core stage of normal childbirth by working hard while pushing and applying proper breathing techniques.

There are two breathing techniques involved in this transitional phase of normal delivery: light breathing and deeper breathing.

Here's how to catch your breath while in the transition phase of normal delivery:

1. Take regular breaths to make it easier to give birth in a normal way. Start with as many breaths as you can as the contraction begins.
2. Next, exhale and try to relax.
3. Focus your attention on one point to smoothly apply the normal birthing method.
4. Take a light breath through your mouth at a rate of about 5-20 breaths in 10 seconds during the contraction.
5. On the second, third, fourth, or fifth breath, exhale more and longer for example while saying "huh".
6. When the contractions are finished, take a deep breath or two while inhaling.

Breathing techniques during labor at the stage of pushing and delivering the baby

After successfully passing the first stage of childbirth which consists of three phases, now the mother is officially entering the second stage of giving birth.

That means, the mother is ready to push and release the baby while applying proper breathing techniques during childbirth.

It is no less important to regulate your breath properly at this stage to support the body's efforts when pushing.

The hope is that your breath will not become short of breath and the baby can come out smoothly. On that basis, it is important to have regular breathing exercises before giving birth.

Following are breathing techniques when you are at the stage of pushing and giving birth to a baby:

1. Breathe regularly by taking strong breaths and exhaling while releasing tension in the body.
2. Focus on where the baby will come out of the vagina.
3. Keep breathing slowly in accordance with the rhythm of the contractions so that the body feels more comfortable.
4. When the doctor gives a signal to push, try to take a deep breath, push with your teeth to meet your teeth, place your chin against your chest, and point your body forward.
5. Hold your breath while pushing and exhale while saying "huh" to relax more. Make sure you relax the pelvis so that the baby can easily come out.
6. Exhale after 5-6 seconds then inhale and exhale as usual.
7. Before starting to push and catch your breath again, take a deep breath to get oxygen for both you and your baby.
8. Avoid screaming when contractions come because it can make the mother tired.
9. When the contractions end, try to reduce the urge on the baby. This method helps prevent the position of the baby back into the womb.
10. When the contractions are over, relax your body and take a breath or two.

Repeat the breathing technique while pushing at this stage of childbirth and listen to the doctor and medical team for cues.

How to regulate your breath during childbirth so that it is smooth

According to the Baby Center page, when the contractions are getting worse due to labor getting closer, always try to control your breathing properly.

Try closing your eyes for a moment, focusing on breathing techniques during delivery and paying attention to your breathing rhythm.

Avoid thinking about the negative things that you fear because they can distract from your focus when you apply the birthing breathing technique.

Take a deep breath, then give it a little pause before you exhale again.

Vice versa, exhale that is approximately the same length as your previous breath.

Before returning to inhaling again after exhaling, it's best to pause for a moment.

In order for you to be more focused and calm, when you inhale your eyes can also close and pull in through your nose.

While on the exhale, move your lips slightly and exhale slowly through the small gap in the lips.

It is advisable to exhale a little longer than when inhaling using deep breathing techniques during childbirth.

When you have very strong contractions, usually your breathing will tend to get shorter.

While in the Lamaze method, it is done by controlling the breath during childbirth to reduce pain.

Breathing is done in a variety of patterns, such as taking a deep breath for five seconds and exhaling for five seconds, then repeat.

Another pattern is to take two short breaths and then exhale so that it sounds like “hee-hee-hoooo”.

It is very important to keep your breathing so that you are not gasping for breath.

In essence, the stronger the contraction, the wider your opening, the shorter your rhythm in regulating the rhythm of your breathing.

To make labor easier, you may want to try natural induction or eat foods to give birth quickly.

However, make sure you have consulted your doctor first.

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