Whenever you say the words labor or childbirth you will usually imagine a woman huffing and puffing her way through labor. This patterned paced breathing is most commonly ascribed to Lamaze Childbirth Classes. This is not typically what is taught in most childbirth classes, including Lamaze classes.
The breathing that most childbirth classes concentrate on is deep, abdominal breathing. This form of breathing actually promotes relaxation.
This is a very natural form of breathing, so it is not difficult to master. The key is to watch your abdomen rise as you inhale and contract as you exhale. Doing so slowly will ensure good oxygenation of your blood and will begin to relax you without much effort at all. This type of breathing is the most important form of breathing for labor and birth.
You may also hear people talk about a cleansing breath. This is a deep breath at the beginning or end of a contraction to help center your mind on the work of labor, or to release any residual tension. It is also a good way to let those around you know that a contraction has begun or ended.
You can practice this breathing at any point throughout the day. Some women choose to practice with their partners just before bed, learning to add other forms of relaxation with the abdominal breathing. You might also try this at points in your day that you find stressful. Learn to create brief rituals that help you relax. This will serve you well in labor.
