• Proper breathing technique during labor is essential.muttergl??ck 6 image by Patrizier-Design from Fotolia.com
  
  Proper breathing techniques can affect your state of mind and the state of your body. Breathing during stressful events, such as labor and delivery, can help relax you to deal with the pain more effectively. Breathing in a steady rhythm is calming and provides more oxygen for both mother and baby to use during this strenuous work.
  
  

Stage One

• Always begin with a deep cleansing breath. This stops the action, brings you into focus and pulls in extra oxygen to prepare you for the work ahead. When contractions become strong enough to be unable to talk through them, use slow, steady breathing to give you focus and help work through the pain. Take a deep cleansing breath at the beginning of each contraction and focus. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth in a regulated steady rhythm. Push the air out until you want to pull in your next breath.
  
  

Accelerated Breathing

• When the intensity of the labor and contractions increases, the breathing technique switches to a more active pattern. Begin with the deep cleansing breath and again inhale with the nose and exhale through the mouth. As the pain and intensity of the more advanced contractions begin, increase the tempo of the breathing and switch to inhaling and exhaling in shallow breaths through the mouth. Focus on staying relaxed and matching the breathing to the contraction. As the contraction begins to peak, increase the breathing rate. Slow the pace and relax as the contraction fades.
  
  

Variable Breathing

• During the final phase of delivery, the recognizable pattern of "pant, pant, blow" comes into use. The escalation of both the pain and stress of contractions calls for intense, active breathing. Pull in the deep cleansing breath as the contraction begins and focus your attention on a single point such as an object or your partner. Breathe through your mouth at a fast, shallow rate. Up to 20 breaths in 10 seconds is possible during this stage of active breathing and labor. After the third or fourth breath, blow out a louder pant. Verbalize a "who," if this helps you focus. Keep this pattern going until the contraction ends.
  
  

Second Stage Labor

• This breathing technique is used during the portion of labor when it is time to push the baby out. Pull in a deep cleansing breath when the contraction begins and let your entire body relax. Let the contraction guide you through accelerated breathing as necessary as the contraction builds. When it becomes necessary to push, take a deep breath, curl yourself into the pushing position and try to hold your breath as you begin to push. Release the breath slowly and forcefully by grunting if necessary. Release your breath after 5 to 6 seconds and breathe in again. Take a deep breath again as you bear down. Repeat this until the contraction ends, then take deep cleansing breaths as you relax your body.