Breathing in labour & birth
Here are some breathing techniques to practice for labour. Essentially you are experimenting and practicing to let the breathing flow effortlessly in its own individual rhythm.
Getting to know one’s own breathing rhythm is the foundation on which to build more free-flowing breathing. Remember not to hold the breath, force the exhalation by pushing out more air than necessary and gasp for breath on the inhalation (flaring of nostrils). When you focus on your breath in a relaxed way you can easily engage in the process of labour, creating for yourself an altered state of consciousness that will allow the optimal birthing hormones to release spontaneously and ensure the safest possible birth for you and your baby.
Here are some techniques to practice daily in the weeks and months ahead….
1. Full concentration on breath - the Yogic Breath
Your aim is to have no thoughts left for pain or fear. Stay in the here and now. Mindfulness.
Yogic breath - focus on counting the breath - breathe in 3, breathe out 5
Extend the exhalation - breathe out longer than you breathe in. It is important not to tense the abdominal muscles to ‘assist’ each breath, thus wasting energy
2. Breathing in the optimal amount of oxygen to the body and the baby.
Your aim is for the body to be able to function unimpeded and with less pain and stress. Trust in your body signals and needs and allow the body to breathe, follow it and flow with it.
Breathe into the belly directing both energy and oxygen in thru the crown of your head, into your pelvis, and into the womb for your baby. Visualise white light flowing to your baby. Learn to visualise breathe feeding your baby.
3. Breathing with meditative rhythms
Create a trance-like state where the reality of stress and pain does not reach you. Your aim is to become one with your body, where you are your breath, you are your womb, and no longer head or mind. Ie. visualise waves flowing in and flowing out, breathe in rhythm with the waves. Get in touch with gravity and trust in the body’s ability to flow naturally and effortlessly as you surrender to the birth rhythm. Every woman births in her own time and way, and to her own drum beat or rhythm.
Our Active Birth Workshop or Antenatal Private Session is led by advanced childbirth educator and senior yoga teacher, Suzanne Swan. Suzanne has been doing this work for 20 years and her experience affirms that having the partner involved in the birth process, working hands on as a team with the mother, promotes a positive birth experience and enhances family bonding.