Lamaze Breathing

You are expecting a baby in few months but the very thought of intense pain associated with the entire process of childbirth is getting the best out of you. Without a doubt, motherhood is a beautiful feeling. All you need to do is couple this blissful feeling with a few pain-management techniques and you are good to experience the best joy in the world. Lamaze is one such technique taught to would-be-mothers, to help ease or de-focus the pain during natural childbirth. This particular form of breathing technique was actually introduced by a French obstetrician named Dr. Fernand Lamaze in 1951. Lamaze caught on quickly with the world, so much so that today, it is a crucial lesson in the childbirth classes. So, doesn't matter if you are a first-time-mom or a veteran mommy, the need of the hour is to master the different Lamaze breathing techniques in order to have a happy pregnancy. This article would guide you through the techniques of Lamaze breathing. Each of these breathing techniques are used at different stages of childbirth but can be altered to accommodate the mother’s need.

The fear of pain is quite common among would-be-mothers all set to have a natural childbirth. So, in order to make her feel at ease, focused and in total control of herself during labor and childbirth, Lamaze breathing exercises and relaxation techniques come in quite handy. It effectively negates the fear of the unknown. Though this method does not promise a painless childbirth, the expectant mother will surely have a less painful and happier experience.

 

This technique is usually recommended in the early days of pregnancy. Baseline is actually the average amount of breath a person takes in one minute. If the expectant mother has someone to count the number of breaths she takes in one minute, it becomes easier during the delivery period to check whether the breathing is normal or out of control.

Slowly and deeply inhale through your nose and equally slowly exhale through the mouth. This technique is known as cleansing breath and is basically used at the beginning and end of each contraction. Also known as the signal breath, this particular technique of breathing is a signal for your partner that a contraction has begun and ended.

 

This form is meant to keep you relaxed and rested and make you comfortable to your surroundings. A shallower breathing technique, this tends to further slow down when you’re asleep. Exhale to a count of five and inhale in the same slow way.

 

This is another slow and shallow breathing technique which helps you to relax during early labor. Here, you need to slowly inhale through your nose and softly exhale through your mouth. Practice this technique for 1-2 minutes and end it with a cleansing breath.

 

This particular technique, the famous “hee hee hoo” is what most people think Lamaze breathing is all about. This is used during contractions in active labor. In this method, you need to exhale quickly making the “hee” sound (2-4 times) and then blow out once with the “hoo” sound. You have to inhale lightly between each exhale and maintain a steady rhythm. Continue doing this for 1-2 minutes or until the contraction ends.