- Take Deep Breaths
The American Pregnancy Association recommends laboring women take deep breaths because “Increased oxygen provides more strength and energy for both the mother and baby”, and it “Provides a sense of well being and control.”
It is easy to begin panting or even holding your breath when you are laboring. This makes you light headed and restricts oxygen supply to your body, which you need a lot of in these trying hours.
Practice taking deep breaths before labor. It will be easier to implement if you have it to muscle memory. Then have your doula or spouse take the deep breaths with you when you get irregular so you don’t have to think so hard about it.