FAQ's of breathing techniques
Suggestions for breathing and the use of birthing noises during labour
Thing to consider - breathing
History of breathing for childbirth
Breathing techniques have long been linked to childbirth preparation classes as a method for pain relief. The concept was first described in 1947 by a Russian psychiatrist, as a form 'psychoprophylaxis' (or 'mind prevention'). The Psychoprophylaxis method entailed the training of women in the use of breathing and distraction techniques, to 'disassociate' their mind from their bodily pain sensations during labour. The idea was "If you could busy your mind enough, you won't feel your body". Psycho prophylaxis was a very regimented process of 'huffing and puffing' that sometimes led to problems of women over-breathing (or
hyperventilating).
In the 1960's and 70's, natural birth advocates were faced with a new wave of medical interventions, with the introduction of
epidurals,
oxytocin drips and continuous
CTG monitoring of the baby. This lead to a focus on preparing women with breathing techniques, or 'patterned breathing', through a modified version of the original psychoprophylaxis method, by the Lamaze Organisation. The 'Lamaze Method' did not refer to 'pain' as such, but terms such as 'intense contractions'. Success with both of these methods was extremely variable between individual women.
(If you would like to read more about breathing, and the history of Childbirth education you can click onto
back to the future - past and present philosophies).
Today, the focus has moved again, from using breathing techniques as an isolated method to deal with labour pain, to incorporating the woman's breathing into a combined approach to help with her labour. The following information aims to explore the practical use of breathing to help it work for you in your labour.