Breathing to Help You and Your Baby

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed
First Published: 1997
Last Revised: December 2002

"Childbirth is something you do, not something that happens to you." F. Lamaze

A special way of breathing is something you can do to help yourself and your baby during labor and birth. To become comfortable with the different types of breathing, practice often.

Slow paced breathing
May be used through labor to help you stay relaxed. Relaxation is the key that allows you to have control during labor and birth.
Description: Take air in slowly (either through your nose or mouth) and slowly let it out. You may have done this breathing before. It is simple and it is good for you and your baby.

Modified paced breathing
May be used as labor becomes stronger. Requires more thought and concentration and sense of control.
Description: This is a lighter and slightly faster breathing than slow paced breathing. Inhale and exhale through your mouth or nose.

Patterned paced breathing
May be used as labor becomes stronger and if you have been asked not to push. This requires more thought and aids your concentration and sense of control.
Description: Three or four breaths in and out followed by one blow. The blows should be like those used to cool a hot spoonful of soup. As the urge to bear down becomes stronger you may wish to use only blows. As the urge fades, try the three or four light breaths and blow pattern again.

Puff or blow breathing
May be used with pattern paced breathing if you have an urge to push and have been asked not to.
Description: The blow should be like those used to cool a hot spoonful of soup or like trying to blow out a single candle.

No matter which breathing you choose to use, always try to do the following with each contraction:

• Use cleansing breaths at the beginning and end of each contraction. (Take a big deep breath in, let it all out, allowing the tightness to leave your body.)
• Focus your eyes and mind on something or someplace that feels safe to you or focus on a pleasant thought.
• Relax and let all your muscles go limp so that your uterus is the only muscle working.
• Change positions often.

Try to work with your mind and body and with the natural forces of birthing.

See related Patient Textbooks about Obstetrics and Gynecology.

See related Patient Topics Labor and Delivery, Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pregnancy and Reproduction or Women's Health.

See related Provider Textbooks about Obstetrics and Gynecology.

See related Provider Topics Labor and Delivery, Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pregnancy and Reproduction or Women's Health.

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