Breathing Techniques for Childbirth

Topic Overview

As your due date draws nearer, learn and practice controlled breathing techniques for pain management during childbirth. Concentrating on your breathing will help distract you from pain, relax both your muscles and your mind, and keep your oxygen supply up.

If you haven't learned specific breathing techniques (such as Lamaze) in a childbirth education class, practice the following breathing patterns before you go into labor:

  • In early labor, use abdominal breathing, at about 6 to 9 breaths per minute. As you inhale, expand your abdomen outward; as you exhale, relax your abdomen downward.
  • As your contractions become more intense, exhale in a "pant-pant-blow" pattern, about 6 cycles per minute.

Related Information

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerKathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical ReviewerSarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerKirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last RevisedJanuary 7, 2010
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: January 7, 2010
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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