The Lamaze breathing technique is a method used during childbirth to reduce pain and tension, aiming to help women stay calm, focused, and minimize discomfort during labor. It involves controlled breathing patterns to manage pain perception and response. Here are the principles and breathing techniques for each stage of Lamaze breathing:
Principles:
The Lamaze breathing technique focuses on controlled breathing to allow women to manage their pain perception and response. Through deep breathing and maintaining a focused breathing rhythm, women can reduce their pain sensations, achieve relaxation, and aid in the progression of labor.
Muscle Relaxation Training:
Before learning the Lamaze breathing technique, muscle relaxation training is conducted. This training aims to achieve overall relaxation, reducing tension and exertion, and helping alleviate discomfort during labor.
Stages of Lamaze Breathing:
| Stages of Labor | Cervical Dilation | Breathing Techniques |
|---|---|---|
| Early Labor | 0-3 centimeters | Chest Breathing |
| Active Labor | 4-7 centimeters | Hee-Hee Breathing |
| Transition Phase | 8-10 centimeters | Pant-Breathing |
Chest Breathing:
Purpose: Used before the cervix is fully dilated, aims to relax the entire body's muscles and alleviate pain.
Technique: Involves deep breathing, inhaling through the nose and exhaling gently through the mouth, repeating this process about 6 to 9 times per minute.
Hee-Hee Breathing:
Purpose: Used when the cervix is dilated between 4 to 7 centimeters, aims to reduce labor pain.
Technique: Through deep breathing and quick, light hee-hee breaths, maintaining the breath's height in the throat and ensuring equal inhalation and exhalation volumes.
Pant-Breathing:
Purpose: Used when the cervix is dilated between 8 to 10 centimeters, helps control pushing efforts and prevents excessive straining.
Technique: After deep breathing, perform consecutive hee-hee breaths, followed by forceful exhales, gradually lengthening the duration of each breath.
Blowing (Huffing) Breathing:
Purpose: Used when avoiding forceful efforts is necessary, for example, when the baby's head turns.
Technique: Inhale and exhale forcefully, resembling blowing out a candle or blowing air with an open mouth to prevent inappropriate straining.
The purpose of the Lamaze breathing technique is to assist women in managing pain and providing better control during childbirth while promoting relaxation. Pregnant women and their partners can learn and practice these techniques together in preparation for labor.
