Abdominal Breathing

What is Abdominal Breathing?

Abdominal breathing is breathing using your diaphragm. It is deep breathing using the full extent of your lung capacity. It is called abdominal breathing because the movement of the diaphragm will expand the abdomen during the inhale and contract the abdomen during the exhale.

Why does Abdominal Breathing work?

Because of its slow nature, abdominal breathing is calming and reassuring. A mother who feels "helpless" may begin to feel that she has the power to respond to contractions when she can control her breathing, reducing the fear in labor.

Abdominal breathing has the added value of increasing the oxygen the mother gets with each breath. Increased oxygen can improve her energy level and help her muscles to work effectively.

How do I do it?

Allow the mother to sit in a reclining position, leaning against the coach. The coach's arms should be around the mother's abdomen, with hands resting near the navel. Encourage the mother to push the hands away with each inhale.

Some sample abdominal breathing techniques:

If the mother finds the rhythmic breathing is helpful, give her a visual cue to breath in and out by raising and lowering your hand, or nodding your head.

Position the coach in front of the mother, face to face if possible. The coach will begin breathing abdominally, loudly if necessary to gain the mother's attention. The mother will begin to match her breathing to the coach's.

Encourage the mother to release more tension by making gentle moan noises as she exhales.

What would you like next?

Read some Sample Birth Plans and get information to help put your birth plan together.

Learn how exercise in pregnancy can shorten your labor.

Learn ways to handle Childbirth Challenges.

Discover the secrets of being emotionally prepared for labor.

Find easy meal ideas.