Why breathing matters in labour

Okay, so this woman is clearly really jazzed about her breathing.  You might not think at all about how you will breathe during labour.......but let me tell you why you should!

First let's be clear, I am talking about patterned, intentional breathing, paying close attention to your breath, not the automatic kind that we are doing right now.  There are soooooo many patterned breathing techniques that you can Google and practice.  Here are just a few examples:

-up breathing
-down breathing
-square breathing
-inhale 3, exhale 6
-diaphragmic breathing

The great news is, the best technique is the one that works best for you! They all help, no one method is superior to the other.  So how does patterned breathing help in labour exactly? 

• Your breathing becomes an automatic response to discomfort
• You remain in a more relaxed state and will respond more positively to the onset of contractions
• The steady rhythm of breathing is calming during labor
• Helps provide a sense of control and focus
• Increased oxygen provides more strength and energy for both you and your baby
• It brings purpose to each contraction, helping contractions be more productive

The key is practice, explore different techniques and choose the one that feels the most natural to you. Your Doula can help with this.  Then practice!  Practice alone, practice with your support persons, practice during stressful pregnancy moments, so when you are in labour, you have already mastered the technique that helps calm and focus you.   You won't regret it.