Why Your Breath Matters In Birth
In our prenatal yoga classes, here at The elbowroom, we put lots of emphasis on breathing and focusing on the breath.
Why?
Well, simply learning how to breathing properly through labour and birth can help your birth experience go from ‘I got through it’ to ‘I was amazing!”. Here’s how:
When you focus on your breath you can only breathe ‘now’
When you have your eyes closed and are deeply focussed on the hypnotic rhythm of your breath it stops you thinking ahead. You are unable to think “oh no when is the next contraction going to come” or “will the next contraction be stronger”, “will I be able to cope” etc.
Breathing correctly brings lots of lovely oxygen to your baby
When you’re taking the long, controlled and deeps breaths we will teach you, you bring a lovely supply of oxygen to yourself and your baby. This helps support your baby reducing the chance of them becoming distressed, giving you more time to birth him/her.
Breathing correctly stops you from becoming distressed
When you’re distressed or panicked you breathe up high in your chest, fast and shallow. Once you get into this cycle it’s very hard to get out of it. On the other hand, breathing slowly and controlled and practising this often through your pregnancy will help you stay calm and collected on D-day.
Breathing correctly is less exhausting
That shallow, fast breathing can be completely exhausting. Labour and birth, especially on a first baby can take a long time. Breathing correctly from the start can help you conserve your energy and keep something in the tank for the end.
Breathing through your contractions gives you confidence
When you see yourself managing labour well and breathing through your contractions you’ll know you’re able for it and you’re doing it and that will give you great motivation!
Learn more
To learn more about breathing through birth and using other useful tools like deep relaxation and visualisation why not book into our CalmMama: Breathe Relax Birth Workshop on Saturday 9th December.
This is a 2-hour workshop of deep relaxation and breathing for pregnancy and birth – the perfect end to a busy week!