A series of breathing techniques are taught to mothers in Lamaze classes. These techniques are a means of comfort and pain management during the painful, yet satisfying childbirth experience. With the help of a coach, a mother will create a breathing pattern of deep and shallow breaths through both their nose and lips.
Lamaze Classes
These classes are available for expectant mothers to learn proper breathing techniques to ease pain during childbirth. Lamaze classes typically are given at health center, local hospitals or sometimes community colleges and typically last 6 weeks. Most Lamaze classes cover important information such as how a typical labor will progress, position themselves during birth, breathing and massage techniques as well as ways to stay comfortable and relaxed. An expectant mother is expected to bring a coach to classes that will help her stay relaxed and focus during pre-childbirth and during childbirth itself. This coach can be the father, a relative or a friend. Ultimately, anyone she is comfortable with is satisfactory.
Lamaze Breathing Technique
Lamaze breathing is a well-known pain management technique used for mothers who are enduring childbirth. A series of long and short breaths are completed in order to provide comfort to the mother. Short breaths provide more oxygen to the blood, which relieves some underlying pain. During Lamaze classes, mothers will be taught pattern their breathing with their coach. One deep breath is taken followed by a series of deeper, slower breaths through the nose and lips. One important focal tip is to focus on an item in the room such as the telephone, a flower or a window. Focusing will allow you to be slightly distracted from the reality of the birthing situation.
Bradley Breathing Technique
The Bradley breathing technique is a series of long and deep breaths of air. This is imperative in between contractions as it will help to distract the mother. While it does not help the mother to manage her pain, it is helpful to create a relaxing environment for her to give birth in. This breathing technique is especially popular for those enduring natural childbirth. The difference between Lamaze and Bradley breathing techniques is that Lamaze is done through a contraction, while Bradley is completed between contractions.
Tags: breathing techniques, between contractions, Breathing Technique, breaths through, during childbirth, Lamaze Breathing