Breathing Techniques and Vocalization

Breathing techniques have been used to prepare for childbirth for over fifty years. Many couples find that modifying breathing helps them cope very well with the powerful sensations and emotions of labour. Breathing techniques

• are used to enhance a woman’s comfort, control her anxiety, and help her concentrate
• can be used alone or in combination with relaxation and massage techniques
• are usually modified for the individual woman
• can help prevent hyperventilation (over-breathing), which can result in dizziness
• can be used to cope with painful or anxiety-producing situations throughout life

Tips for Using Breathing Techniques

	Take a deep easy breath at the beginning and end of a contraction. It provides a mind and body set and is a non-verbal sign to your partner(s) that a contraction is in progress. It also provides oxygen to the baby.
	Choose a focal point, something to focus on while you are breathing. This can be an external point that you are actually looking at, or something that you visualize with closed eyes.
	Breathing too quickly (from anxiety or as a result of practicing your breathing too enthusiastically) can make you feel dizzy or short of breath. This is called hyperventilating. If this happens, breathe slowly into cupped hands for one to two minutes or until you feel better.
	Adjust the rhythm of your breathing to your own comfort. Some people prefer to let their breathing change naturally as the contractions change. In this case, breathe as slowly and deeply as possible. Experiment to find the breathing methods you prefer.
	Many women like to make noise during labour and birth. Vocalization (like moaning and groaning) can be a tension release, an affirmation or an attention-getting device. Vocalization is often substituted for blowing during transition or in the second stage of labour.

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