Exercises for childbirth: effective gymnastics for an easy birth without tearing. Pregnancy and childbirth: breathing during childbirth. Breathing exercises to ease childbirth Breathing exercises during childbirth

The pregnancy period is coming to an end, the woman is waiting to finally see her child. Contractions and the period of childbirth is the most important stage to which future mom must be prepared and come fully armed. Understanding the physiology of the processes occurring in the uterus and other organs of the reproductive system helps many to pass this stage with minimal discomfort.

Labor contractions are painful, but this can be significantly reduced by following a few steps. simple rules. Massage techniques, the ability to relax and rest during periods of calm, changing positions and other techniques will greatly improve your well-being. But first, let’s talk about what signs of contractions before childbirth a pregnant woman may feel.

Contractions can be divided into training and true. Training contractions of the uterus occur almost from the very beginning of pregnancy, but are felt only from the 20th week. With skillful influence, their intensity can be reduced (relaxation techniques, massage, warm bath, changing the type of activity or posture). They do not have a clearly traceable frequency and can bother you several times a day or week. The interval between spasms is not reduced.

True contractions are more pronounced and are accompanied by pain. A woman cannot influence their intensity and duration (no techniques lead to relaxation of the uterine muscles). Important feature labor contractions is their frequency.

The first signs of contractions before childbirth may resemble a pulling sensation in the lumbar region, moving to the lower abdomen; over time, the pain intensifies. Attacks of contractions become longer and are observed more often. The interval between contractions at the first stage can reach up to 15 minutes, later it is reduced to several minutes. In general, several signs can be identified that determine the onset of true uterine contractions, signaling the onset of labor:

  1. Contractions appear with a certain frequency.
  2. Over time, the interval between attacks decreases.
  3. The duration of contraction increases.
  4. The pain syndrome intensifies.

During examination, the obstetrician determines the gradual dilatation of the cervix, and at the same time, the discharge of water may be observed.

The beginning of labor is, of course, a very exciting period for a pregnant woman, but it is necessary to concentrate as much as possible and record each contraction of the uterus, the duration of the contraction and the duration of the relaxation period. Between contractions, you need to try to relax, breathe deeply in order to supply the muscles with oxygen as much as possible.

You should not immediately call an ambulance and go to the maternity hospital - contractions can last up to 13-15 hours and part of this time is better spent at home with loved ones, and not in a hospital ward. Household members can support and set the mood for positivity; the husband can lend his shoulder and help in finding the most comfortable position.

At home, you can look for a comfortable body position that will make it easy to wait out the period of contraction of the uterine muscles. Here are the most comfortable poses for this period:

  1. Vertical position. You can lean your hands on the wall, headboard, chair and maintain a vertical body position during the contraction.
  2. Sitting on a chair. You need to put a pillow under your buttocks and sit on a chair facing the back. During the contraction, cross your arms on the back of the chair and lower your head into your hands. Can only be used in the initial period, when the child is still quite high.
  3. Reliance on your husband. A pregnant woman can place her hands on her husband’s shoulders (both partners are standing); during contractions, the woman leans forward and arches her back. The husband massages the lower back and shoulders.
  4. On your knees and elbows. Get on all fours and relax all your muscles.
  5. On a fitball or toilet. Pregnant women are not recommended to sit during labor; the baby gradually moves through the birth canal and a hard surface can make this process difficult. Therefore, a fitball (a sports ball that you can sit on) is an indispensable item during labor). If it is absent, you can sit on the toilet.
  6. Lying on your side. It is often easier for a woman to endure contractions when she is in a lying position. In this case, it is better to lie on your side with pillows under your hips and head.

The question of how to ease childbirth and contractions worries every woman. There are several techniques to achieve the desired effect.

No need to lie down during breaks. It is more useful for labor if the expectant mother is on the move (no need to overdo it - walking in moderate pace will be quite enough). While walking, the baby's weight will put a little pressure on the muscles of the cervix and stimulate its opening. In order not to disturb the baby, it is better to keep your back as straight as possible (do not hunch). Heels can help with this; find the highest ones possible (contractions and childbirth are the only period of pregnancy when they can and even need to be worn). It has been noted that in women who are on the move during labor, childbirth is faster and easier.

During contractions, catch your gaze on some object at eye level (a vase, a painting, or any other). Distraction can provide relief from contractions. You can sing (even if you have absolutely no hearing or voice).

Experience each contraction separately, try not to think that the next one will come soon. Relate the pain to a positive memory. You can imagine that this is a wave that rolls onto the shore and then disappears. Relate the contraction to a flower bud that blooms more and more with each attack, and in the center of it is the long-awaited baby. Some women are helped by awareness of the processes that occur in the body at this time. Think that this pain is not an injury, but just a reaction of the body to the opening of the cervix and the tension of the uterus itself. Think about the child, the more pain you feel, the easier it is for him to be born.

Try self-massage techniques:

  1. Press during the period of muscle tension on the point that is located in the most protruding area pelvic bones. The pressure should be strong enough to cause discomfort and slight pain.
  2. Stroke the side of your abdomen with your palms. You can do this both bottom-up and top-down.
  3. You can do circular stroking of the center of the abdomen with your hands, this will also reduce pain.
  4. Rub the lumbar area with your fists (knuckles). The movements should be vertical, and the hands should be located approximately at the level of the sacral dimples.

Try distraction techniques and other areas of the body to relieve pain. Some may not see the connection between pressure points and the muscles that contract during contractions, but it is practically proven that such a connection exists.

  1. Act on the skin of the forehead - carry out smoothing movements from its center to the temple area. The pressure should not be strong.
  2. Use your fingers to make smoothing movements from the wings of the nose to the temples, this will also allow you to relax.
  3. Make patting movements on the lower part of your face in the chin area.
  4. Impact the point located between the index and thumb, on any hand. The movements should be pulsating. If it is correctly identified, you will feel pain in response to pressure.

Breathing differs depending on the phase of contractions. There are 3 stages in total:

  1. Initial, it is also called latent or hidden.
  2. Active.
  3. Transitional.

After passing through all phases, the period of expulsion of the fetus begins. Breathing during labor and childbirth has its own differences. Consider each stage of labor, labor and breathing during these periods.

The duration of the initial phase can last from 7 to 8 hours, during this period uterine contractions occur regularly every 5 minutes, the contraction itself lasts from half a minute to 45 seconds. Cervical dilatation is observed up to 3 cm.

Then the attacks become more frequent and the active phase begins. It lasts up to 5-7 hours. The intervals between attacks of pain are reduced to 2 minutes, and their duration reaches 60 seconds. The cervix continues to open, and the throat size reaches 7 cm.

During these periods, a woman should alternate between periods of deep and shallow breathing.

When a contraction occurs, you need to inhale and exhale through your mouth at a rapid pace (like a dog); during the lull, you need to breathe deeply and evenly, entering through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.

Next comes a period of slowdown (transition phase). In terms of its length, this period rarely lasts more than an hour and a half. Contractions last up to one and a half minutes, and the interval between attacks is from half a minute to a minute. During this time, the cervix should open as much as possible (10 cm) to allow the baby to pass through. Often a pregnant woman feels unwell, dizzy, chills, and nausea. For a woman, this is the most difficult phase; pushing is already felt and must be restrained until the obstetrician allows pushing. Otherwise, swelling of the cervix and its numerous ruptures may occur.

Breathing during this period can help control pushing. To do this, you need to breathe in the following sequence: first, two short inhalations, and then a long exhalation.

After the uterus is fully dilated, the woman should help the baby and begin to push. Contractions during this period are replaced only by short periods of muscle relaxation, but in general they are less painful.

Breathing should saturate the muscles with oxygen as much as possible. To do this, during the period of pushing, you need to take a deep breath, hold your breath and strongly tense all the abdominal muscles. If one inhalation is not enough, then the woman needs to exhale, inhale deeply 2 times, then hold her breath again and tense all her muscles. When the contraction passes, you need to breathe evenly and calmly.

After the birth of a child, the mother’s work does not stop; there is another important stage ahead - the birth of the placenta. The process is almost the same as the birth of a child, only much faster and not as painful. The doctor may additionally administer oxytocin intravenously, which will allow the placenta to be delivered literally in one push.

Do not be alarmed if, even after the birth of the child, a woman experiences uterine contractions - this is a normal process that allows you to stop bleeding and significantly reduce the size of the uterus.

When correct psychological mood, the necessary knowledge about the birth process, some help from household members and medical personnel, the sensations during contractions before childbirth and during the birth itself are tolerated quite firmly. By combining breathing techniques and other relaxing techniques, you can reduce pain to discomfort. Many women describe their childbirth experience something like this: “there was no intense pain”; “I thought it would be worse.”

Properly controlled breathing during childbirth reduces pain, ensures normal oxygen supply to the baby, and facilitates and speeds up labor. We are talking about breathing techniques with a certain depth and frequency. Having mastered the proposed breathing exercises during pregnancy, adapting to the methods of inhalation and exhalation, you will undoubtedly choose the best method of breathing for yourself during childbirth and ensure the easiest birth of your long-awaited child for both of you.

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1. Pregnancy and childbirth: breathing of a pregnant woman

2. FIRST STAGE OF LABOR (dilation of the cervix):

— Exercise 1: Slow breathing

— Exercise 2: Light (fast) breathing

— Exercise 3: Alternating breathing

3. SECOND STAGE OF LABOR (pushing)

Breathing during childbirth, video 1, video 2

Breathing during childbirth, video 3, video 4

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· Pregnancy and childbirth: pregnant woman breathing

It is useful for expectant mothers to know that breathing during pregnancy has some special nuances:

A) The uterus growing with the baby displaces the diaphragm and organs abdominal cavity women up, leading to a decrease in lung capacity.

B) Every week rib cage The expectant mother's airway expands, and the minute volume of breathing increases.

B) After finishing 24th week of pregnancy The body's need for oxygen increases.

D) A pregnant woman is characterized by shallow and more frequent breathing (physiological hyperventilation, as doctors call it).

Therefore, breathing exercises during pregnancy are important not only as preparation for childbirth, but also for the most favorable course of pregnancy and intrauterine development of the baby.

IT IS IMPORTANT!!! The duration of breathing exercises for a pregnant woman should not exceed 10 minutes per day. Longer or more frequent breathing exercises during pregnancy can provoke a decrease in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood, dizziness and fainting.

FIRST STAGE OF LABOR (dilatation of the cervix)

This is a very important period, during which a woman must control her every inhalation and exhalation, concentrate on breathing, on counting the duration of contractions and pauses between them, and not on sensations. The most important thing is not to strain and not to try to suppress the pain. Otherwise, you will only aggravate the condition and course of labor. If you strain with the onset of each new contraction, you yourself will prolong the labor process, suppress labor, the cervix will not be able to open to the required amount, and it is possible that doctors will be forced to use drug anesthesia and induction of labor. Moreover, the woman’s “tightness” blocks the full supply of oxygen to the baby, which threatens hypoxia . In contrast to this development of events, correct, calm, controlled breathing during childbirth acts as a natural pain reliever and promotes the adequate flow of processes.

· Exercise 1: Slow Breathing

In the early stages of labor, it is best to breathe slowly and maintain this breathing throughout labor as long as it helps. This type of breathing is most suitable for some women throughout the entire labor period.

Either way, you can keep it slow

breathing during labor until it “works” until intense contractions begin.

How to use slow breathing during labor:
- When a contraction begins, take a deep breath. As you exhale, release all tension.

- Inhale slowly through your nose (if this is difficult, you can inhale through your mouth) and exhale completely through your mouth. Now hold your breath. You need to breathe with a frequency of inhalation and exhalation 6-10 times for one minute. This is about two times slower than usual.
- Inhale calmly, but noisily, while keeping your mouth slightly open. The sound of your inhalation should be like a relaxed sigh.
“Now you need to just try to relax, relieve tension from the muscles of the abdomen and chest.
- When the contraction is over, you can take a full relaxing exhalation. After this, inhale, again, as if you were sighing. The ideal ending to a breathing exercise would be a pleasant yawn.
- Now relax, change your body position if you want. And at the next contraction, repeat the cycle of breathing exercises during childbirth.

!!! IT IS IMPORTANT!!! Training, spending breathing exercises during pregnancy, try breathing in different positions: lying, sitting, standing, on all fours. Every time you go out, pay attention to relaxing individual parts of the body - this way you can relax all the necessary muscles.

· Exercise 2: Light (fast) breathing

When the contractions have become clearly intense, and slow breathing no longer brings relief, you need to switch to accelerated breathing during childbirth. An easy breathing exercise during pregnancy is as follows:

- Inhale and exhale through your mouth quickly, at a frequency of approximately 1 time per second.
- The breathing rate can vary from 2 times in one second to 1 time in 2 seconds.
— While you are “rehearsing” breathing exercises during pregnancy, try breathing different ways, with different frequencies - decide which is more convenient for you.

IT IS IMPORTANT!!! The best way Respiratory rate counting is the counting of complete respiratory cycles (i.e. inhalation + exhalation) focusing on a time period of 10 seconds. Depending on the frequency you choose, in 10 seconds you should get from 5 to 20 breathing cycles.

- Breathing in this way should be shallow.
- It is important to inhale quietly and exhale noisily.

· Getting more complicated: combine fast and slowbreathing during childbirth!

If you already manage to establish the correct rhythm of accelerated, light breathing within 1-2 minutes, then you are quite ready to combine it with slow breathing.

As the contraction begins, breathe slowly, then gradually speed up (breathe more shallowly) as you continue accelerated pace 30-60 seconds. When the intensity of the contraction decreases, slow down your breathing, and when it ends, breathe slowly and evenly.

Little secrets

When breathing through the mouth, dry mouth almost always occurs. You can avoid this and help yourself with the following tricks:

A) While breathing through your mouth, touch the roof of your mouth with the tip of your tongue, just behind the teeth. This way you will humidify the air you breathe and avoid drying out your mouth.
B) While breathing, lightly cover your mouth and nose with your palms, spreading your fingers - your palms will retain moisture.

Of course, during home training on proper breathing during labor, you can drink water or rinse your mouth periodically. Your birth partner will be able to bring water in the maternity hospital (in case joint birth) or medical personnel (if possible). Otherwise, you can use the first two methods during childbirth; they are always available.

How to use the combined method during childbirth:
- As soon as the contraction begins, as you exhale, try to release all tension.

- Slowly inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Now gradually speed up your breathing. Let the intensity of the contraction guide you - the higher the intensity, the faster the breathing.
- If the contraction reaches its peak gradually, the breathing rhythm should be accelerated gradually.
- If the contraction reaches its peak quickly, switch to accelerated breathing earlier.
— As the intensity of the contraction decreases, you need to gradually switch to slow breathing. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
- End the contraction by breathing with a deep breath.
— During the pause between contractions, try to relax as much as possible and change the position to a more comfortable one.

· Exercise 3: Alternating Breathing

- easy breath;

- noisy, long exhalations.

This type of breathing helps well when you are tired, when you are unable to relax, when you are already having difficulty fighting contractions.

So, rehearse

Breathing exercises during pregnancy should be as follows:

- Start with fast breathing. Then breathe the same way as in exercise easy breathing - quickly, with a frequency of complete cycles from 2 times in one second to 1 time in 2 seconds.
- Count every five cycles and inhale slowly, deeply.
- Try to change your body position periodically.

Considering that alternating breathing is used during the most intense contractions (the duration of such contractions is up to 2 minutes with almost no intervals), you should practice relaxing in advance for no longer than 30 seconds, having time to relieve tension from the entire body.

How to use alternating breathing during childbirth:
- At the very beginning of the contraction, try to relieve tension while exhaling.

- Then breathe shallowly through your mouth, that is, 5-20 inhalation-exhalation cycles in 10 seconds.
- After counting every third, fourth or fifth cycle (depending on the intensity of the contraction, increase or decrease the number of cycles), exhale slowly, you can do this with sound.
- At the end of the contraction - 1-2 relaxing exhalations.
- Then completely relax.

In case intense contractions are very difficult for you, try focusing your thoughts on something else, for example, think about how much harder it is for your baby right now. Thoughts about helping the baby give additional strength, and these are not empty words:

1. Each contraction of the uterus instantly accelerates his pulse to 140-180 beats per minute.

2. When the peak of the contraction occurs, the placenta contracts, as a result, the blood flow to the baby’s brain is reduced, and within a few seconds the baby does not feel anything at all. As soon as the pressure caused by the contraction subsides, the blood supply is restored again and normalized.

Breathatcontractionsvideo 1:

Breathatcontractionsvideo 2:

SECOND STAGE OF LABOR (pushing)

During the second stage of labor, the baby's head descends into the pelvic cavity. At the same time, there is a desire to push, but it is too early to do this, otherwise ruptures of the soft tissues of the female birth canal will not be avoided.

You will have to wait about 15 minutes, this is how long this period will last. Contractions can be very intense, lasting from 1 to 2 minutes.

Now is the time to concentrate on proper breathing. You have already done a lot, just a little bit remains!

- When the contraction begins, exhale completely and relax as much as possible, then take a deep breath.

- Followed by three shallow, frequent breaths, accompanied by short, abrupt exhalations - stretch your lips into a tube and sharply blow out the air.

Mentally count: One, Two, Three - exhale. And again: One, Two, Three - exhale. And so on.

When the doctor gives the command to push, you must do it with full dedication!

The duration of the attempt is about a minute. You need to push correctly like this:
- Start with a full inhalation, trying to put pressure on the uterus with the entire volume of air inhaled into the lungs. The direction of the push is towards the perineum. Do not press on your head under any circumstances!

- If you feel that you are short of breath during childbirth, immediately exhale quickly. Then - a new breath, and push again.

According to the comments of experienced women in labor, if everything is done correctly, the birth process usually takes three attempts. As soon as the contraction begins, at the doctor’s command, take in air and push as hard as you can. In fact, pushing is a kind of relief in contractions; pushing does not hurt - nature took care of it. The main thing is to obey the midwife unquestioningly. If you push correctly, the contraction is almost not felt (however, everything is known by comparison). By the time of pushing, contractions are usually extremely intense, so the ability to push literally becomes a salvation for a woman giving birth!

While there is still time before giving birth, it is important to master everything

breathing exercises during pregnancy, hone the stages of breathing. This may seem difficult, but by training every day, you will easily achieve automaticity for childbirth, and you will be able to breathe correctly without thinking about it at all. I am sure that breathing will become your assistant during the birth of your child. And happy birth to you!

Yana Lagidna, especially for MyMom . ru

Breathing during childbirth, video 3:

Breathing during childbirth, video 4:

I am pregnant! → Training “false” Braxton-Hicks contractions: sensations, symptoms, when they start and what to do?

Preparing for childbirth → Breathing during childbirth: breathing technique during contractions and pushing

Preparing for childbirth → Birth stimulants: oxytocin and prostaglandins during childbirth. How is labor induced in the maternity hospital?

Preparing for childbirth → The process of childbirth: periods when a child is born. Pregnancy and childbirth, video course

Preparing for childbirth → Position and presentation of the fetus during pregnancy: pelvic, cephalic, transverse,…

Childbirth is natural process for the female body, but why not help nature cope with the task faster? Probably, every woman who has already given birth has thought that it would be nice to be able to speed up and make the birth process a little easier, and the answer to these thoughts could be a special breathing technique and behavior during childbirth.

Table of contents: 1. Behavior during contractions - First stage of labor - Second stage of labor 2. What to do during pushing 3. Breathing exercises to prepare for childbirth - Abdominal breathing - Full breathing - Economical breathing

The most important thing during contractions is not to hold your breath.. This is due to the fact that during a period of tension in the muscles of the uterus, the lumen of all uterine vessels narrows, including those that go to the placenta and are responsible for feeding the fetus. If a woman in labor uses some kind of breathing technique, this will ensure that an increased amount of oxygen enters the blood, which means that the fetus will not experience oxygen starvation.

If the contractions are not painful, then it is suitable for a woman "slow" type of breathing, when the ratio of the duration of inhalation and exhalation is 1:2, respectively, inhalation is done through the nose, and exhalation is done through the mouth.

Important nuance: It is necessary to start and end the contraction with a calm inhalation and exhalation. In this way, you can breathe not only during labor, but also throughout the entire birth process - it all depends on the woman’s feelings, on the nature of labor and on the preparation of the expectant mother.

When labor has entered the active phase and contractions have become more intense, painful and frequent, a woman will be optimally suited breathing with vocal expression of pain. In this case, the exhalation should be “sung” or “sung” using the vowel sounds “a”, “o” and “u”. It is definitely worth considering that when singing, the sound should be low, since with such pronunciation almost all the muscles of the body relax as much as possible. If a woman sings sounds at high notes, then there is a high probability of cervical spasm.

For the first stage of childbirth, it will be useful to master breathing “through plump lips”: At the peak of the contraction, the woman should take a deep breath through the nose with a loud sniffle, and exhale through the mouth, creating a “swelling of the lips” and making a loud “poo” sound.

IN in the first stage of labor, a woman can use diaphragmatic-thoracic type of breathing . At the beginning of the contraction, 3-4 deep diaphragmatic-thoracic (that is, we “work” not with the stomach) inhalation and exhalation are made. The woman should place her hand on her stomach in the navel area, and the other on her chest. Inhalation is a contraction of the diaphragm, so the hand located on the stomach should rise higher than the hand lying on the chest. As soon as the hand on the stomach rises as much as possible, the woman should continue inhaling by expanding the chest, raising the hand lying on it.

Note: similar exercises should be carried out during pregnancy in order to perform them correctly during the birth process. If you do not train in advance, then theoretical knowledge of the diaphragmatic-thoracic breathing technique will be useless.

The development of labor will steadily increase, the intensity of contractions will increase, and the intervals between them will lengthen. During this period, it will be increasingly difficult for the woman in labor to breathe using the methods described above, and there will be a need breathe shallowly - like a dog. The pattern of such breathing: at the rise of the contraction - 1-2 diaphragmatic-thoracic inhalation/exhalation, and at the peak of the contraction - frequent and shallow breathing, during which the tongue should be pressed to the roof of the mouth. At the end of the contraction, breathing voluntarily becomes less frequent, so the woman should exhale deeply, and at the end of the contraction - 2-3 diaphragmatic-thoracic inhalations/exhalations.

Note: a contraction in the second stage of labor lasts about 40 seconds, but at home, during training, you need to perform the described exercise in 20 seconds. Otherwise, hyperventilation will occur, excess air intake will occur, and this leads to dizziness.

What a woman needs to know about the period of contractions during childbirth:

  1. You should not tense up during contractions; on the contrary, you should try to relax as much as possible. The fact is that tension does not allow the cervix to open and the birth process is delayed, and this adversely affects both the condition of the woman and the condition of the fetus. If the dilation of the cervix is ​​already large, and the woman tenses, this prevents the baby’s head from moving through the birth canal, which also prolongs labor.
  2. After a few hours of contractions, a large opening of the cervix is ​​noted and at this moment, as a rule, amniotic fluid begins to flow. As soon as the waters have broken, the woman should lie down and not get up to prevent the prolapse of the umbilical cord or the fetal arm, which can happen with polyhydramnios (amniotic fluid simply “carries” these parts of the fetus along with it).
  3. After the amniotic fluid is released, the doctor performs a vaginal examination, during which the fetal head is pressed tightly against the pelvic bones. This is done in order to avoid the complications described above. During the vaginal examination, the doctor should note that the fetal head is pressed, and if necessary, then separate the membranes of the amniotic sac.

During the first birth, the period of contractions lasts, on average, 8-10 hours, if the second birth, then this period is reduced to 4-6 hours. As soon as the contractions end, the cervix opens completely and a transition period begins, during which the baby's head begins to intensively move down the birth canal.

Some time after the contractions stop, the woman begins to experience an irresistible urge to push, but she cannot start pushing on her own - you should call an obstetrician who will tell you whether this period of labor can begin. This is necessary to ensure that the cervix is ​​fully dilated, otherwise (the cervix is ​​not fully dilated) it may rupture. And one more point: while moving along the birth canal, the baby’s head adjusts, that is, the unfused bones of the head come one after another and the size of the head becomes smaller. If a woman in labor begins to push prematurely, injuries to the baby may occur, such as a cerebral hemorrhage.

The period of pushing is difficult, many women cry and scream, which leads to a lack of oxygen entering the lungs, an oxygen deficiency is created in the placenta, and this invariably affects the condition of the child. During pushing, the “sniffling” type of breathing will help. As the contraction rises, the woman should exhale and take one deep breath, then her breathing quickens and becomes shallow. Three or four shallow breaths are completed with an intense exhalation, when the air passes through the lips, extended in a tube (this is how a person sobs). It is very convenient to breathe in sequence during this period: one/two/three – noisy exhalation; one/two/three – noisy exhalation and so on.

Pushing is a very important period of labor, so the woman will need to mobilize all her strength, gather herself and listen carefully to the midwife’s commands - she will be the one who will explain to the woman in labor when and how to push. In order for this important period of the birth process to proceed correctly, a woman must:

  • lie on a special table on which your feet will rest on a stand;
  • hold on to special handles;
  • as soon as the contraction begins, take a deep breath, pull the arms towards you, look at your own stomach and push the air out so as to direct the efforts to the perineum.

During one contraction, you need to push like this three times; you cannot bend over and raise your perineum while pushing. It is very important to look at your stomach while pushing - the abdominal muscles will tense not with effort/tension, but with the position of the body. After pushing, there is always a pause, during which the woman can relax and rest a little.

Note: if you push incorrectly, “in the face,” the labor process will be delayed, pushing will be ineffective, and hemorrhage may occur in the eyes and skin of the face. You should not scream while pushing, since along with the screaming you will lose oxygen, which is necessary not only for the child, but also for effective pushing.

The woman exhales as much as possible, then slowly relaxes her muscles. abdominals. At this moment, the stomach will begin to protrude a little forward, and the woman will be able to feel this by placing her palm between the bottom of the uterus and the ribs. When the abdominal muscles relax, the lower sections of the lungs will be freely filled with air.

All the woman’s attention should be directed to the hand: exhale - the hand goes deeper under the ribs, inhale - the hand moves forward.

The woman exhales deeply - the anterior abdominal wall lowers. Then a deep inhalation begins, when the sections of the lungs are filled gradually, followed immediately (without holding your breath) by an exhalation (deep and slow/smooth). When performing this exercise, you should breathe only through your nose.

Note: It is advisable to do exercises to “establish” abdominal and full breathing at least 10 times a day. First, they are mastered in a lying position, then they begin to be performed while walking.

The breathing rate of all people is different, so first a woman should count how many inhalations/exhalations she takes per minute. As a rule, the ratio is 1:1, but such breathing is not economical. To train more economical breathing, you need to try to increase the duration of exhalation for 3-7 days so that as a result the ratio of inhalation and exhalation becomes 1:2. The skill of economical breathing is very useful during pushing, when, at the command of the midwife, the woman in labor must hold her breath, and then slowly exhale or breathe while the baby’s head is removed.

During labor, when contractions begin, it is better to use economical breathing techniques. Each time a contraction begins, you need to take a deep breath, then a deep exhale, then a full breath again. The same rhythm should be present at the end of the contraction; in general, it is extremely undesirable to change it even as the intensity of the contractions increases.

In the second stage of labor, the fetal head descends into the pelvic cavity, the woman has a desire to push, but this cannot be done, as rupture of the soft tissues of the birth canal may occur. This period does not last long - only 15-20 minutes, contractions occur with an interval of only 2-3 minutes and are very sensitive for women. In order to somehow distract yourself from them, you should focus your attention on breathing, count your inhalations and exhalations, and ensure that the correct rhythm is maintained.

As soon as the baby's head drops to the pelvic floor, the woman can push. The pushing lasts about 60 seconds, you need to push with a full inhalation; if there is not enough breathing, then you need to exhale, inhale quickly and immediately start pushing again.

Of course, when preparing for childbirth, it will not be possible to completely imitate breathing during pushing, but training will do its job - the breathing mechanism will be worked out to the point of automatism, which will help during childbirth.

Tsygankova Yana Aleksandrovna, medical observer, therapist of the highest qualification category

Since our school days we have known that breathing is the basis of life. A modern, well-informed pregnant woman cannot help but think in advance about how to alleviate the condition for herself and her baby. It is better to start doing breathing exercises long before the woman finds out that she is in an interesting position, and, of course, it is necessary to continue the exercises during pregnancy. However, one must distinguish breathing exercises aimed at strengthening the body as a whole, and special exercises, intended for use during childbirth.

Getting ready to become a mother

Experts recommend training your breathing to literally everyone who is attentive to their health. Breathing exercises have a beneficial effect not only on vocal cords.
They well compensate for vegetative-vascular dystonia, strengthen the circulatory system, and increase the overall resistance of the body. They also eliminate fatigue, mild depression, and various forms of neurosis. With their help, you can cleanse the maxillary and frontal sinuses, as well as the lungs and bronchi from stagnant mucus, which often becomes the root cause of a runny nose, sinusitis, and bronchitis. When it comes to pregnancy planning, breathing therapy is focused on prevention and improving a woman's immunity.

During the cold and rainy season, it often happens that coughing, sneezing and runny nose become unwelcome companions to the onset of pregnancy. And this happens because in unprepared and weak girls, during pregnancy, the body’s protective functions noticeably decrease, which is why colds rear their head. And how you don’t want to stuff yourself with pills! The good news that you will soon become a mother is a reason to do breathing exercises with a greater degree of responsibility. After all proper breathing during childbirth- a guarantee of sufficient oxygen intake for the baby, who, unlike us, does not use the lungs to breathe, but receives oxygen through the placenta directly from the blood. And the need for oxygen in a rapidly growing and developing baby is very high (before birth it increases by 30-40%). Exercises that help increase the vital capacity of the lungs, as well as maximum saturation of the blood with oxygen, will be an excellent prevention of abnormal intrauterine development of the fetus. And of course, we should not forget that a pregnant woman should visit as often as possible fresh air In addition, swim in the pool for children and pregnant women, and in the summer - in the sea.

Breathing exercises, Strelnikova exercises

A set of breathing exercises was developed several decades ago by Alexandra Nikolaevna Strelnikova, an opera singer and theater teacher. Despite the negative attitude of Soviet medical officials towards the Strelnikov system, patients came to it in a stream. And today, after her death, this method remains popular and in demand. Strelnikova’s breathing exercises, being natural in nature, have virtually no contraindications. Some restrictions exist only for people with brain injuries, spinal injuries, as well as severe osteochondrosis with long-term severe radiculitis.

The peculiarity of this technique is that while performing the exercises, it is very important not to think about exhaling. Only inhalation is active, exhalation is passive, which is very paradoxical, since in ordinary life we ​​are used to doing the opposite. According to Strelnikova, incorrectly produced breaths contribute to the development of lung disease and distort their shape. Thus, a voluminous inhalation that makes the chest appear like a wheel, or a deep, protruding belly, is incorrect. These movements, combined with simultaneous body movements, under a clearly defined count, should be performed in a ventilated room once a day, in different positions: sitting or standing, as is comfortable for you. All exercises are performed regularly in 12 figure eights, that is, each exercise is 96 inhalations and exhalations.

For a pregnant woman, the load can be reduced (up to 3-5 eights), the main thing is that she feels comfortable and in no case overloads herself. Of course, the expectant mother should consult a doctor before doing any gymnastics.

Perform the exercises under the supervision of an experienced instructor from a childbirth preparation course. Otherwise, if you are guided only by a magazine or book, it is easy to make mistakes that can cost you dearly later!

When an expectant mother suffers from pronounced vegetative-vascular dystonia and feels severe dizziness from the very beginning of exercise, she should limit herself to only those exercises that are performed while sitting. At the same time, she must take breaks to rest. Please note: it is recommended that a pregnant woman do the “squatting” position in a half-squat so as not to put too much stress on the body. These exercises are well suited for a woman after the birth of a child. The intensity of the classes depends on the well-being of the young mother and how the birth went.

At the 7-8th month of pregnancy, when a woman fully realizes that she will soon become a mother and begins to communicate more and more often with her baby, preventive breathing exercises by Strelnikova should be supplemented special classes, which will help you relax during contractions and also teach you how to push correctly. After all, it is well known that the more the expectant mother tightens during childbirth, the slower the cervix opens and the more painful and longer the whole process takes. Special complex breathing exercises must be brought to automatism, since during childbirth, and this has been proven by doctors, a woman is unlikely to be able to remember anything. During the birth process, the activity of the cerebral cortex is inhibited and childbirth is controlled by subcortical structures.

Usually they only talk about a woman’s suffering during labor, but believe me, it’s also very difficult for the baby, he experiences enormous stress. If a mother, when giving birth, can relax at least a little and begin to think not only about herself, but also about her baby, this will allow her not to lose an emotional connection with him and will support him even before the moment he is born. This is very important for your future relationship with your baby! When training your breathing, each time scroll through your mind a successful birth scenario, forming certain thought-images that, as experts assure, can really have a beneficial effect on the outcome of a real birth.

Each stage of labor has its own way of breathing. The birth process begins with contractions. At first they are weak, but already painful and unpleasant. A woman should not interfere with the flow of contractions as much as possible: only at a time when she experiences real discomfort, she is in pain and uncomfortable, should she take a soft breath in through her nose, and then a soft and long exhale through her mouth. There is no need to breathe “systematically” between contractions. Breathe as you please. The stronger the contractions become, the deeper the breaths should be taken. Try to do them with your chest, relaxing your stomach, back and perineum as much as possible. If it so happens that a woman in labor is uncomfortable breathing through her nose due to swelling of the mucous membranes in the nasal passages (this can be caused either by a common runny nose or by hormonal changes in the female body), she should breathe like a dog. That is, quite intensely, placing the tip of the tongue behind the teeth towards the upper alveoli. This way, you split the air flow into two streams and prevent your throat from drying out. Stretch your lips into a smile. Sometimes it’s more convenient to “sing” the fight. And the baby won’t be so scared: the mother sings, which means everything is fine. It is better to sing vowel sounds: “a”, “o”, “u”, etc. You can also hum (draw out the “m” sound). In this case, the sound should be directed upward so that vibration is felt in the maxillary and frontal sinuses of the nose - perhaps this vibration will help relax the body during contractions. It is important for a pregnant woman to learn not only breathe correctly during childbirth, but also take a comfortable position. You can stand, leaning on any object that provides support (table, bed, window sill), or take a knee-elbow position. It is permissible to sit down, but on a full foot, leaning, for example, against a wall. Rock your hips from side to side - this relieves tension in your lower back. At some point, “pushing” sensations gradually join the contractions, the pressure on the perineum increases - the baby begins to move forward little by little, literally millimetrically. At this moment, use diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing or breathing in four counts: we breathe three times like a dog, the fourth inhalation is again the same as that of a dog, but the exhalation is more powerful (as if we are trying to blow out a candle). Using this type of breathing correctly, a woman can easily “hold out” until the cervix is ​​fully dilated, when the doctor finally allows her to push. People often ask: how to push? While pushing, you need to take a soft breath and, while holding your breath, with your chin down, tense up, as if you were constipated, as much as possible. This is followed by a soft exhalation, another inhalation and repetition of the push. During one contraction, several attempts may occur. Under no circumstances should you sharply inhale and exhale air, so as not to change the position of the fetus in the birth canal. When the widest part of the baby's head appears, the doctor asks the woman in labor to no longer push during contractions. At this moment you need to try to relax, breathing again like a dog. This way you will be able to avoid soft tissue injuries.

The last phase of the birth process is the birth of the placenta. It usually separates within half an hour after the baby is born. When the placenta comes out, it is recommended to cough a little while shaking the tummy. The birth is over. A baby, healthy, funny, screaming, is placed on your stomach. And the pain fades into the background.

Set yourself up only for the best, breathe correctly during labor, and the result of expectations, believe me, will not disappoint you. A breathing exercises will help you get an A+! After giving birth, in the first six months, it is recommended to perform classes at least 2-3 times a week. Agree that the baby will also be pleased to see next to him a mother who is not only caring, but also cheerful, healthy, and who has enough strength for a variety of games with her beloved baby.

Experts advise getting an idea in advance about how to breathe during childbirth so as not to get confused at a crucial moment.

It will take you more than one week to work it out perfectly. breathing exercises. Therefore, the sooner you start training, the better.

Correct breathing during childbirth significantly relieves pain. But during contractions and pushing, it’s not easy to remember which inhalations and exhalations should be taken now. Therefore, in 9 months, bring breathing technique to automaticity. To do this, rehearse breathing during contractions every day. It’s good if your husband also knows how to breathe during childbirth and trains with you. This way you will quickly remember the sequence of long and short inhalations and exhalations. The future dad, by timing, will not allow you to do the exercises longer than necessary. Are you planning a birth with your husband? This means that in the prenatal ward, your husband will also take on the role of a prompter and will definitely tell you what to do.

  1. Breathing during contractions. Start. As soon as you feel the muscles begin to contract, take a calm, deep breath and exhale the same way. The main thing is to take your time. Close your eyes and count to yourself to 5. You will be distracted, and your breathing will be rhythmic, and therefore correct. Continue breathing like this until the contraction ends, do not switch to another type of breathing even during breaks.
  2. Breathing during intense contractions. Practice puffing like a hedgehog. Shallow, frequent inhalations and exhalations will come in handy when contractions become more noticeable and the pauses between them become short. So, at first, breathe just as evenly and deeply, and a little later switch to puffing. At the end of the contraction, breathing will be calm again. For this combined exercise spend no more than 20-30 seconds.
  3. Breathing before pushing. This period is considered the most difficult, but very short (10-15 minutes). Concentrate on your breathing - and everything will go easily! At the beginning of the contraction, breathe deeply: take a deep breath and exhale the same way. Then your breathing quickens a little. It will be easier for you to control the situation if you start counting short inhalations and exhalations: one, two, three. And - long exhale. Make sure your lower jaw is relaxed. If it is tense, then the muscles of the uterus are clamped.
  4. Breathing while pushing. A special set of inhalations and exhalations will help the baby to be born faster. So, you take a deep breath and hold your breath as long as possible (at this time you are pushing). After this - a short sharp exhalation and again a long, deep breath. With good training, you can do 3-4 such breathing cycles in one push. Don't forget that when training, you shouldn't go all out. Now you just need to remember all the stages of breathing while pushing.

During the birth of a child, spent breathing technique acts as a pain reliever! When you concentrate on the rhythm of your inhalations and exhalations, there will be no time to panic. You will also be sure that the child receives enough oxygen.

The skills you learn will help your body adapt more quickly to the changes that occur during pregnancy. After all, now the growing uterus lifts the diaphragm and internal organs, so the volume of the lungs decreases. Inhaling and exhaling is sometimes difficult. But the child needs more and more oxygen every month! Therefore, be sure to include in your childbirth preparation program breathing exercises. They are not complicated at all! You will triple the benefits if you perform them in the fresh air, relaxing in the park or on the seashore. The result will please you!

To learn how to breathing properly during childbirth, you need to train for 10-15 minutes every day for 1 month. This is quite enough. Do oxygen gymnastics separately or alternate it with physical exercise. Do not forget that breathing too intensely can cause slight dizziness (the concentration of oxygen in the blood increases). In this case, it is important not to panic. Cover your mouth and nose with your palms so that they form a mask. Inhale and exhale into it several times and everything will pass. At first, it will be easier for you to work on breathing while sitting, quietly sitting on the mat. Pleasant music is the best assistant in this matter. A little later, you will be able to perform the exercises on the go, doing your usual activities.

Quicken your pace a little and you can no longer catch your breath? This is unusual for you, because before, fast walking was never accompanied by shortness of breath. This problem usually appears in the third trimester. The body works under pressure, so its reactions are completely different. The main thing is not to be nervous, because nothing threatens you or your baby. Try to keep your back straight and not slouch, sleep in a half-sitting position. Shortness of breath will subside 3 weeks before birth. The belly will drop - the baby will begin to prepare for childbirth.

Our advice: Take time to visit the pool. First, by swimming and diving, you control your breathing. And secondly, in a state of water “weightlessness” it is the diaphragm that works. Despite the significant load, shortness of breath does not occur!

  • With the help of deep breathing, you can massage your internal organs and even protect yourself from varicose veins veins (after all, the outflow of blood will be more intense). To do this, you need to learn to breathe with your stomach, and not just with your chest. Before performing the exercises, sit comfortably and relax. Then exhale completely, so that the air comes out of the lowest parts of the lungs.
  • Close your eyes and get started. Inhale deeply and at the same time draw in Kegel muscles, count to 6, and then exhale, relaxing the perineum. Each time you hold your breath, increase the count by 2. With this exercise, you prepare both your body and the child for childbirth. You will learn how to act correctly when pushing, and the baby will experience less stress when born. So try for two!
  • Sit down and lean your back against the wall. Place your hand on your chest and take a few deep breaths. After this, place your hands on your stomach, breathe through your diaphragm. This way you will practice chest and diaphragmatic breathing. Then try a mixed one: breathe through your chest and stomach at the same time. Take your time. Perhaps everything will not work out the first time. But after a week regular training It will be easy for you to breathe using this system.

Every woman expecting the birth of a baby must take a number of measures to prepare for this process. The article reveals basic tips and recommendations for caring for yourself and setting yourself up for a successful birth of a child.

Every pregnant woman wants to know as much information as possible about the state she will soon find herself in. We are talking about the prenatal condition, the harbingers of childbirth and the process of the baby's birth.

This is necessary in order to firmly withstand any test, give birth safely and experience as little pain as possible. Harbingers of labor are peculiar “signs” of the imminent birth of a child, which indicate to a woman that it is time to go to the maternity hospital.

One of the most striking signs of a “close” birth is drooping belly. This happens because the fetus (child) is already “preparing” for birth, occupying the most comfortable position for itself. This is why a woman's belly undergoes further transformations.

If previously the baby’s head in the womb occupied the abdominal region, then before birth the baby descends even lower, into the pelvis. This correct position fetus before birth.

Surprisingly, after the abdomen drops, a woman may feel slight changes in her sensations. In particular, it becomes easier for her to breathe, and heartburn may “go away.” Internal organs the body becomes much “freer”, they take their natural position.

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Condition and behavior of a pregnant woman before childbirth

Speaking about the behavior and condition of a woman just before childbirth, it is worth noting that all this depends on the individual characteristics of the person and what kind of childbirth it is.



Woman before childbirth

Basic sensations:

  • Heaviness in the stomach. Some people call this condition "Stone belly" It is very simple to explain this condition - the walls (muscular) of the uterus become very tense and literally harden. That is why, when you feel your stomach, you can feel not its soft state, but its hard state.
  • Desire to defecate. Childbirth is a process designed by nature. She tried to make the birth of the child as comfortable and problem-free as possible. This is why a woman may feel a strong and frequent urge to go to the toilet. An empty bowel is a necessity during childbirth.
  • Nagging pain in the lower back. Such sensations appear much earlier than abdominal pain. This pain is very similar to what a woman felt when she started her period or when she might have a “cold” or strain her back. Such pains arise and, as a rule, do not disappear, but only change their intensity.
  • Excessive emotionality It is also typical for women in a prenatal state. The body undergoes changes at the physiological and hormonal level and therefore a woman is often unable to control her emotions.


Condition and sensations of a woman before childbirth

How does the plug come out and water leak in pregnant women before giving birth?

Cork is a yellow mucous lump mixed with blood that closes the uterine space in the cervix, preventing bacteria and microbes that can harm the fetus from entering. The plug appears at the beginning of pregnancy and “goes away” on its own right before birth.

IMPORTANT: In some cases, the observing doctor himself “provokes” the plug to come out by catching it with his finger. This is necessary for labor to begin fully. This is done when the plug cannot come off on its own for a long time. It depends on the individual characteristics of the woman and the first birth.

How to spot a traffic jam? Just pay close attention to yourself while going to the toilet. Look into the toilet, inspect the crotch, panties and legs. The cork can be very small and can be similar in size to a button. In addition, the admixture of blood in it is not at all necessary. It can be completely transparent.

IMPORTANT: After the plug comes out, the body gives a signal to the body “it’s time to give birth.” That is why the next symptom may be broken water and abdominal pain.



How can you tell if a pregnant woman’s plug has come out?

How do contractions occur in pregnant women before childbirth?

After the traffic jams go away (or before) first contractions. As a rule, the first contractions are very tolerable. They look like a slight pain that pierces the stomach to the lower back and goes away as abruptly as it appears.

From the moment you notice the pain arising and “going away”. You should keep count of them. You need to have a watch with you. They will be useful to you in order to count the time interval between the last and next pain.

Before childbirth, the interval becomes very small (2-3 minutes), but the pain itself becomes very intense and unbearable. It is almost impossible to alleviate the condition. All you can do is choose the most comfortable position for yourself and rub your lower back with massage movements (it’s best to ask a loved one about this).



How to recognize first and prenatal contractions?

How to remove fears of childbirth in pregnant women?

Women giving birth for the first time are often very afraid of the upcoming pain and the process itself. But the stronger the fear, the more difficult it is for a woman to relax and make childbirth faster, simpler, and easier. As practice shows, women who give birth repeatedly are more confident in themselves and easily endure the whole process.

What you can do to not be afraid of giving birth:

  • Pre-watch a documentary about how natural childbirth occurs.
  • Learn breathing exercises designed to relax the pelvic region.
  • Agree on a partner birth (with mother or husband). A loved one will help you endure all the difficulties, give you a massage, bring you water, and support you.
  • Find and arrange childbirth with a doctor in advance. Communicate more with your doctor, do not hesitate to ask him questions and ask for help.


How should a woman behave and what should she do before giving birth?

Nutrition for a pregnant woman before childbirth: dates

Eating dates during pregnancy is often a controversial issue, depending on the woman's body's tolerance to this food. The uniqueness of dates is that their rich vitamin and mineral composition is capable of providing direct effect on the muscles of the body.

Simply put, the trace elements found in dates can stimulate and contract the muscles of the uterus itself. This feature will be very useful during labor. Often, women eat dates before giving birth so that they help them survive the first birth easily and quickly. In addition, a rich supply of carbohydrates will “give” strength for a difficult process.



Is it possible and necessary to eat dates to facilitate labor?

Gymnastics and exercises for pregnant women before childbirth with elements of breathing exercises

It's no secret that a number of specific physical exercises for pregnant women help them alleviate their condition, establish harmony with the body and experience the process of giving birth to a child more easily. Such gymnastics (both regular and breathing) helps relieve pain and prepare the body for an easy birth of a child.

IMPORTANT: Before choosing gymnastics and physical exercises for yourself, a pregnant woman should consult with her doctor about whether she can do them at all.



Yoga for pregnant women

Simple physical education Light exercises

Useful exercises

Prayer for a pregnant woman before childbirth

Every woman tries before giving birth activate maximum opportunities and strength for a successful and prosperous birth. It's in motion proper nutrition, physical exercise, massage, relaxation, breathing and even morale in a positive way.

Psychologists note that prayers help a woman calm down, accept any challenges and calmly go through the process of giving birth to a child. When choosing a prayer, you should definitely take into account your individual characteristics (your health, the health of the baby, the type of birth, and so on). You can pray out loud or silently. Feel every word spoken and believe in what is said.



Prayer for a successful birth

Husband's prayer for his pregnant wife before childbirth

Ask your beloved man to participate in your process not only physically, but also spiritually. He, just like you, can pray for a successful birth, as well as the health of mother and child. To do this, choose a suitable prayer for him or ask him to pray in his own words.

IMPORTANT: Just like your husband, all your acquaintances and close people, relatives, and friends can pray for you.



Prayer for a woman in labor

How can a pregnant woman shave before giving birth?

Removing hair from the groin area - required condition before childbirth. This not only makes the birth process easier, but is also a hygienic obligation. The fact is that pubic hair may contain germs and bacteria that enter it through urine, feces, secretions, and so on.

IMPORTANT: The absence of hair helps the baby, as soon as he is born, not to “grab” some bacteria and not get sick.

Every woman can master a very complex technique of shaving the groin on her own or ask her beloved husband about it. Big belly It makes it very difficult to do it quickly and safely (without cuts). However, if you take a good position and “arm yourself” with a mirror, you will succeed.

The best thing Shave while lying in a warm bath. The mirror should be held with your left hand and the razor with your right. “Peeking” into the mirror from the side, you will be able to make movements with the razor. If you are uncomfortable looking in the mirror, with your left hand you feel the skin for the presence of hair and only then “walk” with the blade. A mirror will help you check the “final result” of the procedure.

IMPORTANT: Absolutely all hair should be removed, starting from the pubic part and ending with the hair growing towards the anus.



Hair removal before childbirth

Why do pregnant women inject papaverine or drotaverine before childbirth?

These drugs are analogues of each other. Only a competent attending physician can prescribe them to a pregnant woman. This is done carefully, because the drugs can cause unpleasant consequences and allergic reactions that are not desirable before childbirth.

They inject medicine to give a woman slight analgesic and antispasmodic effect. Most often, this medicine is prescribed for primiparous women who find it difficult to tolerate the process. In addition, the medicine is necessary for women in labor who have problems with thyroid gland, liver or kidneys.

Do pregnant women need spa before giving birth?

Very often, women are prescribed the well-known drug “No-shpa” before giving birth. This is done in tablets or using a dropper. Medicine is needed to relax the muscles in the woman’s uterine organ as much as possible. This will also contribute to the relaxation of the cervix itself, its easy and natural opening, and a safe and gentle birth as possible.

IMPORTANT: No-Shpa itself is an antispasmodic (that is, “eliminating spasms”). In addition, it has slight analgesic properties.

Simply put, No-Shpa helps:

  • The cervix opens faster and easier
  • Reduce the intensity, strength and frequency of contractions.
  • Reduces the possibility of tissue rupture in a woman’s vagina during childbirth.
  • Relaxed tissues in the cervix help the baby move easily and softly.

IMPORTANT: Medicine can only be prescribed by the attending physician; you should not do it yourself, as you may get undesirable consequences.

Do pregnant women need phenazepam before childbirth?

Phenozepam– a dangerous medicine for pregnant women early stages pregnancy. It quickly becomes addictive and can have unpleasant consequences for the fetus. However, the doctor can prescribe both phenazepam itself and its analogues before childbirth if the patient has a number of neurological or physiological problems (for example, alcohol intoxication).

Why do you need suppositories for pregnant women before childbirth?

Doctors prescribe a number of medications in the form of suppositories (candles) for women if they experience post-term pregnancy. Post-term is the term of pregnancy from 42 weeks. Postmaturity can harm both the mother and the baby, who may develop a number of diseases or hypoxia.

Candles are introduced in order to “improve” the activity of the uterine muscular organ and help ensure that childbirth occurs on time, quickly, without problems and only naturally. Only the attending physician can prescribe the type of suppositories and only under his close supervision.

Video: “Harbingers of childbirth”

Contents:

The moment of the baby's birth is about to come, and you are worried about how successfully everything will end. To be sure of a successful outcome of this important event, you need to prepare for it in advance. In particular, learn what exercises for childbirth will help relieve pain, avoid ruptures, stimulate the uterus, and relieve stress and tension.

This knowledge will come in handy when it seems like the torment will never end. They will allow the woman in labor to endure all the trials that befall her with dignity and with the least loss.

It is recommended for regular use throughout pregnancy. special gymnastics to prepare for childbirth, which will allow the body to be fully equipped for such an important event. She will help:

  • develop mobility and flexibility of the pelvic bones and lower spine, which will greatly facilitate childbirth and avoid back pain during the birth of the baby;
  • stretch the muscles of the thighs so that you can sit comfortably in the maternity chair for as long as necessary;
  • keep the pelvic and vaginal muscles toned to avoid urinary incontinence, hemorrhoids after childbirth and speed up the recovery period;
  • the cervix opens in a timely manner (read more about it).

If you want to give birth to your baby with minimal complications, without pain and medications, find a set of exercises for each muscle group and start doing them regularly as early as 4-5 months of pregnancy. This will allow you to be perfectly prepared for childbirth.

Preparation

For each group of muscles and organs there are special exercises that prepare them exclusively for childbirth.

  • Preparing for childbirth of the pelvic bones

Get on your knees, lean on your hands. Place your palms from each other at a distance of approximately 30 cm, knees - 20. Hips should be strictly perpendicular to the floor. Slowly bend your back and raise your buttocks as high as possible. Do all this while taking a deep breath.

  • Hip stretching exercises

Sit cross-legged (in lotus position). Place your feet together and spread your knees. Wrap your hands around your ankles. Bend forward and place your forearms on your shins. Gently press on your knees with your elbows, as if trying to push them apart.

  • Vaginal muscle training

The most best exercises for childbirth without ruptures - those suggested by Kegel (we know how effective they are after childbirth). From time to time, several times a day, squeeze as hard as you can intimate muscles, and then slowly release, relaxing.

Simple but effective gymnastics, started during pregnancy, is an excellent aid during childbirth, which you will be able to appreciate when this moment comes. In addition to the above-mentioned exercises, take note of those that can be performed during contractions and pushing to relieve pain, or to speed up uterine contractions.

For stimulation

If all the due dates have already passed, and the baby does not want to please you with his birth, gymnastics will help to stimulate labor, which will significantly speed up the process of relieving the burden.

  1. Walking is an excellent method to naturally stimulate labor. It helps the child to gradually descend. Pressure is exerted on the uterus, which leads to expansion of its cervix. This increases the release of oxytocin in the body, which induces labor.
  2. Not just walking, but going up and down the steps contributes to an even faster birth. As each subsequent leg rises, the pelvis opens, creating more space for the child. The jolts during the descent help him find a more comfortable position.
  3. Breaststroke is another one great exercise, capable of inducing childbirth. Water relieves tension and weight from joints.
  4. Squatting and walking are helpful when the baby is too high in the womb. They help him lower himself into the correct position.
  5. Any rocking is excellent gymnastics for the onset of labor, which will not begin. To do this, you can swing on a swing every day. Or sit in front of the TV not on the sofa, but on a large one gymnastic ball and swing on it in different directions.

All of the above exercises can become a natural impetus for the birth of a full-term baby. This beneficial physical activity will keep you fit, relieve stress and help your baby to be born as quickly as possible. And as soon as the long-awaited contractions begin, another question will arise: what kind of gymnastics will be needed during childbirth to relieve pain and alleviate torment?

For pain during childbirth

Find out in advance how special exercises are performed to reduce pain. In classes for young mothers they talk about how gymnastics helps during childbirth and what can be expected from it. Its functions:

  • mastering conscious relaxation of individual muscles of the body;
  • comfortable state during childbirth;
  • decrease in tension and activity of the nervous system at this moment;
  • relieving muscle fatigue;
  • reduction of pain;
  • receiving the maximum amount of oxygen by the uterus;
  • Consciously focusing your attention on the exercises and relaxing muscles helps take your mind off the pain.

Usually, gymnastics for easy childbirth are selected during preliminary classes for young mothers. There are more simple complexes, which you can find and work on yourself. In between contractions, try the following exercises.

  1. Place your feet shoulder-width apart, lower your arms along your body (starting position of the exercise). As you inhale, spread your arms to the sides, as you exhale, lower them and shake your hands.
  2. Take the same starting position. Pull your elbows back, lift your legs forward one by one.
  3. Previous starting position. Alternately move your arms to the side along with your torso.
  4. Starting position for performing the exercise: sit on the edge of a chair, bend your knees, and bring your soles together. Spread your knees to the sides and return to the starting position.
  5. Starting position for the exercise: lie on a flat surface. Bend your legs alternately, tilting your knees in different directions.
  6. Slow, measured walking with regular and crossed steps.

Breathing exercises for childbirth help to reduce pain, which will saturate both bodies with oxygen - both the mother and the fetus. This is necessary for the normal flow of the entire process.

  1. Relaxing breathing exercise (used at the beginning of labor). Inhale through your nose, pause briefly, exhale through your mouth. Breathing should be smooth, it is better to stretch your lips into a tube.
  2. Superficial breathing exercise (required to relieve contractions). Both inhalation and exhalation are performed exclusively through the nose or mouth. Movements should be light and fast, without the participation of the abdominal wall: make sure that it is motionless. Inhalation and exhalation should be the same in duration.
  3. Intermittent breathing exercise (useful during pushing). Produced with the participation of the chest, in a constant, but fast pace. Open your mouth and touch your lower teeth with your tongue. Outwardly, it should look like a dog's rapid breathing.
  4. Glubokoye breathing exercise (at the last stage of labor, already when the baby’s head appears). You need to take a deep breath through your nose, count slowly to 10, and exhale smoothly through your mouth, while loudly pronouncing hissing sounds.

Read more about proper breathing during childbirth and contractions.

Now you know how useful gymnastics is for childbirth, which can ensure an easy, without complications, birth of a baby. It will allow you at this crucial moment not to die from pain and weakness, but to help your own baby pass all the tests with the least loss. Both his further development and the mother’s condition will depend on this. Therefore, all pregnant women need to learn special exercises in advance and actively practice them during contractions and pushing. Painless, quick and easy childbirth without using medications in this case they will become not a myth, but a reality.

Easy breath

We don't think about how we breathe. However, the benefits of special breathing exercises and techniques have been known since ancient times. Breathing exercises allow you to concentrate, relax, calm, relieve stress in thoracic region spine, perform a gentle massage of the abdominal organs. These exercises contribute to a more rational use of inhaled oxygen - after all, we spend energy on every breath, and the respiratory muscles must also be supplied with oxygen. Therefore, it makes sense to take the next breath only after maximum use of the oxygen that entered the lungs along with the previous breath - that is, breaths should be taken less frequently. This applies to any human condition.

There are special techniques that allow a woman in labor to concentrate, relax, calm down, and also slow down the development of oxygen deficiency in the baby. You can, of course, read about them in specialized or popular literature a week before giving birth, and try to implement them during the birth process, however, believe me, this will not bring tangible results. You will only be disappointed in the benefits of breathing exercises. In order to breathe correctly during childbirth, you need to master the appropriate exercises during pregnancy and bring the skill of performing them to automatism!

Prepare the sleigh in the summer, and breathe before childbirth

Breathing exercises during pregnancy are an extremely necessary and useful thing: being very important element preparation for the crucial moment of childbirth, it at the same time has independent value. The fact is that the breathing of a pregnant woman is quite peculiar. The growing uterus displaces the abdominal organs and the diaphragm upward, as a result of which the movement of the diaphragm becomes more difficult and the volume of the lungs decreases. The pregnant woman’s body must adapt to this, because the baby growing in the uterus requires more and more oxygen (the need for oxygen by the end of pregnancy increases by more than 30-40%). The chest expands, the reserve volume of exhalation decreases (the amount of air that a person can additionally exhale after a quiet exhalation), the vital capacity of the lungs (the maximum volume of air exhaled after the deepest inhalation - efficiency, as engineers would say) increases slightly, increases and minute volume of respiration. In addition, the body of a pregnant woman adapts to the increased needs for oxygen by increasing the work of the heart and increasing the number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) - oxygen carriers. Performing special breathing exercises during pregnancy helps the body adapt to new requirements faster and more fully.

It is advisable to perform breathing exercises daily, or by including them in a gymnastics complex. 1 (between physical exercises and at the end of the complex), either during the relaxation process, or as an independent group of exercises. Total duration of breathing exercises should not exceed 10 minutes a day. This limitation is due to the fact that in pregnant women the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood is already reduced, and frequent breathing will reduce it even more, which can lead to dizziness. If you feel dizzy while performing breathing exercises, inhale and do not exhale, if possible, for 20-30 seconds - the dizziness will pass.

Breathing exercises can be divided into static and dynamic. The former are performed only by the respiratory muscles, the latter - with any movement (walking, turning, bending). First you need to learn how to do static exercises, and having learned to use breathing skills when moving. The main thing is not to hold your breath while moving.

I group of exercises - mastering abdominal and full breathing

In women, the predominant type of breathing is chest breathing - that is, the lungs are filled with air due to the rise of the collarbones and the divergence of the upper ribs. In this case, the diaphragm participates in breathing minimally - its displacement is sometimes only 1 cm. In this regard, the lower abdominal organs are not affected effective massage. For comparison: with abdominal and full breathing, the displacement of the diaphragm reaches 7-13 cm, while an intense massage of the liver, gall bladder, stomach and intestines occurs, which stimulates their work and relieves many factors of discomfort during pregnancy, helps the outflow of blood from lower limbs, pelvic organs, which means it helps prevent varicose veins and venous stagnation.

Abdominal breathing. This may seem strange, but any breathing exercise should begin with maximum cleansing exhale. You need to exhale so that even the muscles of the perineum are drawn in, and the stomach “grows” (as far as possible) to the back. After this, gently relax your abdominal muscles. In this case, the stomach (previously retracted) moderately protrudes forward (you can control this process by placing your palms on the area under the ribs) and the lower sections of the lungs are passively, without effort, filled with air. All attention should be concentrated on the hands, you should breathe so that only the hands rise: exhale - the hands “move” under the ribs, inhale - the hands “move” forward.

Full breath. Having mastered the technique of abdominal breathing, move on to mastering full breathing. (1) The beginning of the exercise is the same as with abdominal breathing: cleansing exhalation - the anterior abdominal wall lowers. (2) Inhalation begins - the arms lying under the ribs rise; the lower parts of the lungs expand; then the middle sections of the chest seem to move apart and together with them the middle sections of the lungs are filled with air (at the same time, the stomach is moderately drawn in for support); after this, the collarbones and upper ribs rise - the tops of the lungs are ventilated and filled with air.

(3) Exhalation is carried out in the reverse order - the collarbones, ribs, palms lying under the ribs are lowered, the stomach “grows” to the back, the pelvic floor is retracted. Then there is a pause - you need to “let go” of the anterior abdominal wall, followed by a pause - a new breath. You need to breathe through your nose.

When inhaling, it is important to strictly follow the indicated sequence, gradually and gently lowering the diaphragm. This skill will be very useful when pushing, when it will be important not to increase the pressure of the diaphragm too sharply, so that the baby’s head is not damaged by the pelvic bones.

It is advisable to perform full and abdominal breathing exercises at least 10 times a day, and it would be better to do more (up to 60 times a day!). Having mastered them fully, you need to perform them while walking, that is, move on to dynamic breathing exercises.

Group II of exercises - increasing the efficiency and economy of breathing

Perhaps someone knows from sports practice that the most effective ratio of the duration of the inhalation and exhalation phases is 1:2. Moreover, after exhaling, you can pause so that carbon dioxide “accumulates” in the blood. Carbon dioxide increases the sensitivity threshold of receptors nerve cells and thus relieves excessive excitement. Respiratory rate different people is different, so it makes sense to independently calculate how many inhalations/exhalations you take per minute, as well as determine the individual ratio between inhalation/exhalation and heart rate. To do this, place your hand on your pulse and count how many beats of your heart you inhale and how many beats you exhale. The usual proportion is 1:1 or 1:1.5, but this ratio is very uneconomical. Our task is to learn to control breathing.

I will give a diagram of actions for an abstract woman (you will have to practice based on your own measurements).

Optimization of the inhalation-exhalation ratio. Let's assume your initial ratio: 3 heartbeats - inhale, 3 - exhale, 2 - pause. You begin to increase the duration of exhalation in order to achieve optimal ratio inhale/exhale - 1:2. 3 beats - inhale, 4 - exhale, 2 - pause; 3 beats - inhale, 5 - exhale, 2 - pause, 3 - inhale, 6 - exhale, 2 - pause. Three to six, as is known, is the desired ratio of 1:2.

This type of breathing should be mastered within 3-7 days so that the ratio of the duration of inhalation and exhalation of 1:2 becomes familiar and comfortable. Next, it is advisable to perform all physical exercises with “economical” breathing.

Lengthening inhalation and exhalation. You should move on to this stage after mastering the previous one. Start, for example, with this exercise: 4 heartbeats - inhale, 4 - exhale, 2 - pause. Next, according to the scheme already known to you, bring the inhalation/exhalation ratio to 1:2: inhalation: exhalation (pause): 4:4 (2) > 4:5 (2) > 4:6 (2) > 4:7 (2) > 4:8 (2).

It will take at least a week to master such skills. Do not forget that hyperventilation is possible during breathing exercises. Take your time!

"Aerobatics". It will take another week to master it. Set yourself arbitrary inhalation-exhalation phase ratios with pauses of 2 counts and try to “breathe” through them. For example:

4:6 (2) > 3:5 (2) > 8:3 (2) > 2:4 (2), etc.

This skill will be very useful in the second stage of labor, when the head begins to erupt and the midwife will say: “breathe”, “hold your breath”, “push”, “don’t push”. You can easily follow her recommendations, and at the same time your baby will not suffer particularly from a lack of oxygen (after all, you trained with him during pregnancy!).

III group of exercises - “rehearsal” of childbirth

Such exercises are described in many books for pregnant women.

The first type of breathing.(It is also often called “slow.”) This is the economical breathing we have already mastered (inhalation/exhalation phase ratio 1:2). The first type of breathing is ideal for contractions start , and sometimes you can breathe it throughout the entire birth. Each time at the beginning of a contraction you need to take a deep cleansing exhalation, then inhale completely. The same thing happens at the end of the fight. If you depict a contraction as a wave, then the first type of breathing can be represented in the following way- see fig. on page 32.

The second type of breathing. With the development of labor, as the intensity of contractions increases , and the intervals between them become smaller and smaller, many women giving birth find it increasingly difficult to breathe with the first type of breathing. There is a need to breathe frequently and shallowly - “like a dog.” This is the second type of breathing. The breathing pattern is as follows: between contractions - the first type, at the beginning of the contraction, a deep cleansing exhalation, then a full inhalation, and then frequent and shallow breathing, the tongue is pressed to the alveoli of the upper teeth. At the end of the contraction, breathing becomes less frequent - a cleansing exhalation - a deep, full breath - and again breathing of the first type. Intense contractions last on average up to 40 seconds, so it makes sense to perform this exercise for 20-30 seconds (to avoid hyperventilation).

The third type of breathing. This type of breathing does not occur in everyday life. It was specially invented to make a woman feel better at a time when when a newborn baby's head drops down , and why can’t you push during time? B??? she can't. Of course, you can behave restlessly and scream - this is a really difficult period of labor, but think about this: we scream as we exhale, while the inhalation is shortened, which means that oxygen does not enter the lungs, the blood, including the placental, increases oxygen deficiency. The baby begins to suffer. Therefore, it is better to breathe, distracting yourself from an overly emotional perception of what is happening, especially since the duration of this period is short, 10-15 minutes at most, and contractions last no more than 60 seconds. with a break of 2-3 minutes. How to breathe to distract yourself? The beginning of the contraction is usual: a cleansing exhalation - a deep, full breath; then breathing quickens and becomes shallow; three or four shallow breaths must be completed with an intense exhalation or sharply blowing through lips elongated into a tube. It is very important to count: one, two, three, exhale; one, two, three, exhale. If you carefully monitor this, then there is simply no time to scream. If you give birth with your husband or mother, then they can take care of the bill - see fig. on page 33.

Well, if you still couldn’t resist and screamed, it’s okay: “finish” the contraction as best you can, at the end take a deep cleansing exhalation, then a deep cleansing breath, and breathe evenly and calmly with the first type of breathing outside the contraction, gather your strength and don’t scream at the next one. Remember that this is a very short period of labor!

Don’t forget: during daily training in this way, you need to breathe for 20-30 seconds once.

The fourth type of breathing. Finally, the baby's head passed the lower uterine segment and dropped to the pelvic floor. At this moment, you will be overcome by one and only desire - to push. While pushing We will use the fourth type of breathing. Pushing is hard physical labor. Physical and respiratory training skills are very useful here.

The pushing lasts about a minute. When you start pushing, you need to breathe as usual during a contraction: take a deep breath, exhale completely and push, push, push. You need to push with a full inhalation, using the diaphragm and the entire volume of air in the lungs, pressing on the uterus. If you feel that there is not enough breathing, you need to exhale with the upper and middle sections of the lungs, without “throwing” the diaphragm (remember the static exercises on full breath), and then inhale again - and push, push, push. After the effort, take a full breath and calm, even breathing of the first type with complete relaxation. This way you can quickly regain strength for the next push - see fig. on page 34.

Of course, during training this exercise should not be done at full strength. But it is very important to thoroughly feel all the stages of pushing breathing. If you train this skill every day, then over time a kind of automatism will appear, and you will be able to breathe as you should during labor without thinking. Having mastered all the breathing exercises, it is extremely useful to “play out” childbirth for 5 minutes every day in class or with someone from your family. The developed automatism will turn on during childbirth, even if it will be difficult for you to fully control yourself.

Perhaps after reading this article you will feel a little uneasy: so much work, such difficult exercises- how can you master all this in 10-20 minutes of daily breathing exercises?! It's best to plan your lessons over several weeks.

For example:

    Week I - mastering abdominal breathing and the first stage of controlled breathing (economical breathing);

    Week II - abdominal breathing and mastering full breathing; second stage of controlled breathing;

    III week - abdominal and full breathing; “aerobatics” of controlled breathing;

    Week IV - the same as in week III, + type II breathing - and so on.

During each lesson, you need to “breathe” with type II, III, and IV breathing at least once. Do not forget, having mastered all types and types of breathing, to include in your daily complex a five-minute “rehearsal” for childbirth.

Good luck, health and happiness to you and your baby! May it accompany you throughout your life easy breath!

A source of information:

Magazine "9 months"

Breathing exercises for pregnant women are one of the important components of preparing a woman for future childbirth. She teaches proper breathing at different stages of labor, removes physical tension, relaxes and relieves stress. However, in order to use proper breathing during childbirth, you should be well prepared during pregnancy.

What are the benefits of breathing exercises

This type of training has many positive properties:

  • compensate for the decreasing working volume of the lungs due to the growing uterus;
  • prepare a woman for childbirth, bringing special breathing to automaticity;
  • gently massage all internal organs;
  • improve kidney function and intestinal motility;
  • help improve blood circulation;
  • strengthen the cardiovascular and nervous systems;
  • have a beneficial effect on the oxygen content in the body of the mother and child;
  • reduce symptoms of the first half of pregnancy;
  • have a positive effect on blood pressure levels;
  • strengthen and cleanse the lungs and bronchi;
  • remove;
  • help to calm down and relax;
  • strengthen the immune system;
  • burn extra calories.

Did you know? An 8-week fetus reaches only 3 centimeters in length, but all its most important organs are already formed. The baby has eyes and ears, separated fingers and toes, his brain is already working, and his heart is actively beating.

When to start

In the absence of medical contraindications, it is better to practice these exercises from the beginning of pregnancy until the birth itself. This way, the woman’s body will learn to automatically switch to the required pace and depth of breathing. Childbirth is a truly extreme situation and during it there is usually neither time nor opportunity to remember correct exercises, so it’s better to work them out well in advance.

Moreover, if you breathe correctly, it will help you recover after the birth of your child - calm down and finally fall asleep.

However, it is worth noting that All exercises must be performed with extreme caution so as not to provoke premature birth. It is better to do them not at full strength and increase the time interval between approaches.

And do not ignore a preliminary consultation with your doctor. He can give his advice and recommendations depending on your health status and individual characteristics.

Regularity and duration of classes

Breathing exercises, like any other physical activity, require regularity. If possible, you should practice for ten minutes every day. In this way, breathing can be trained to automaticity, so that during the birth process you don’t have to remember the theory, but simply breathe correctly.

It is not worth exercising for longer, because a pregnant woman’s blood level of carbon dioxide is already reduced, and active breathing will reduce it even more, which may result in dizziness, decreased sleep, and drowsiness.

In combination with physical exercise or separately: which is best?

There are no definite rules about whether breathing exercises should be performed alone or together with other physical gymnastics. However, practice has shown that it is more convenient to include these exercises in your daily routine. physical activity. You can “breathe” at the end of the entire complex, or insert these exercises between the main ones.

Where to start

During labor, it is very important to breathe appropriately during and between contractions. For this purpose they are used different kinds breathing:

  • diaphragm;
  • complete;
  • economical;
  • superficial.

First you need to master them. Let's look at each of them separately:

  1. Diaphragmatic (abdominal) means that the breathing process is carried out through the stomach. By the way, this is inherent in a person from birth and only with age do we begin to breathe more from the chest.
  2. Full activates the entire respiratory apparatus and is a free, full inhalation followed by a deep cleansing exhalation. It includes diaphragmatic, thoracic and clavicular breathing, then at the same time the diaphragm contracts, the ribs move upward and the chest moves apart.
  3. Economical (slow) differs in that the exhalation is twice as long as the inhalation. And shallow breathing or “dog-like” breathing is a shallow, frequent series of inhalation and exhalation.

Important! Remember the mandatory rule of breathing exercises - always inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth!

Set of exercises

This respiratory complex intended for use in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. It will help your lungs prepare for proper breathing during childbirth, improve kidney and intestinal function, relieve internal tension, and give confidence and calm.
Some preliminary recommendations:

  • during the first exercises, try not to breathe too hard;
  • As you complete the complex, gradually increase the depth of breathing;
  • if dizziness appears, on the contrary, reduce its intensity.
To perform the complex, you need a small pillow or soft toy and a floor covering; a yoga mat works well.

The first exercise is “Introductory”:

  1. Sit on a pillow so that your tailbone is elevated. In this case, the legs are brought together “Turkish style”, the buttocks and thighs are on the mat. The back is straight, palms on the knees or in the center.
  2. As you inhale, the crown of your head stretches upward, stretching the spine; as you exhale, your shoulders, neck and shoulder blades relax. The larynx relaxes and tension in the lower jaw goes away. The chest is relaxed and soft, the hips are relaxed.
  3. Place your palms on the ribs under the chest and, while inhaling slowly through your nose, seem to expand (spread) your ribs to the sides. Next, exhale smoothly, bringing the ribs closer to each other. Repeat this cycle several times.
  4. Place your palms on your stomach. Inhale and exhale slowly, feeling how as you inhale, your stomach moves forward and the central part of your lower back moves back slightly. During exhalation there is complete relaxation.
  5. We combine chest lateral and lower breathing. To do this, while inhaling, you should simultaneously spread your ribs and “swell.” And at the exit - bring the ribs together and relax the stomach. This expansion and approach is repeated several times.

VIDEO: A set of breathing exercises for pregnant women

Second exercise - “Fish”: It removes internal tension from the lower back and sacrum. Intestinal motility and venous circulation improve, tension goes away, and the mind becomes clearer. The exercise is performed as follows:

  1. The starting position is the same, hands on the pelvis. As you inhale, feel how the sides of your waist expand to the sides, and as you exhale they narrow.
  2. The lower diaphragm works, the rules of breathing are the same - inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth. Breathe softly and calmly.
  3. Sit relaxed, stretch your head up, relax your shoulders, neck and larynx. The look is clear and soft, eyes wide open. Take a calm, soft breath, feeling your chest fill with air.
  4. Exhalation relaxes the larynx, jaw, chest, ribs, groin and abdomen. Feel calm, tranquility and conscious relaxation. Breathing calms down and lengthens.

Important!Before starting classes, be sure to consult with your doctor. If you feel worse while performing the complex, stop it immediately.

How to Prepare for Childbirth: Simulated Childbirth

Before the time of birth, it is useful to master 4 types of breathing:

  • Type I
Slow breathing is good for the beginning of contractions, but it is also suitable for other stages of labor. The type is characterized by unevenness when the exhalation is 2 times longer than the inhalation. With the start of the contraction, a full exhalation is made, after which a full inhalation is made. Upon completion, the cycle repeats.
  • Type II
Over time, contractions increase in intensity with the time between them decreasing and it is difficult to maintain the same rhythm. The desire to breathe “like a dog” comes automatically - often and shallowly. Then type II turns on, when with the onset of a contraction comes a deep exhalation, and after it a full inhalation. Next - frequent and shallow breathing.
At the end of the contraction, the pace slows down - a cleansing exhalation and a deep breath, and during the break between contractions, type I breathing is used. The duration of strong contractions is up to 40 seconds and, to avoid hyperventilation, type II should be used up to 30 seconds.
  • III type
It is used when the head is already moving down, but pushing is not yet allowed. On average, this is 10–15 minutes, the duration of the contraction is up to 1 minute with a break between them of 2-3 minutes.

At this stage, many women in labor are very excited and scream, but screaming reduces the amount of oxygen in the mother’s blood and leads to oxygen starvation of the fetus. Therefore, you need to try to distract yourself and think only about breathing: full exhalation - deep breath; after that, breathing becomes frequent and shallow; 3-4 inhalations should be completed with a quick exhalation, possibly through the lips with a “tube”. And constantly help yourself count: one, two, three, exhale, etc.

If it was not possible to contain it and a scream escaped, you should not panic and breathe through the contraction in any way, and at the end of it, exhale well, take a full breath, and during the break continue measured type I breathing. And try to brace yourself so that you can breathe well through the subsequent contractions. Reassure yourself internally that this period of labor is very short!

VIDEO: TYPES OF BREATHING DURING BIRTH When training daily, type III requires breathing for 20–30 seconds at a time.

Did you know?It is believed that from the 15th week the child can already hear what is happening outside his “home”. He flinches from sharp sounds and screams and calms down while listening to a beautiful melody. The baby recognizes the voice of his parents and sweetly falls asleep to the beating of his mother’s heart.

  • IV type
It begins when the head has passed the lower segment of the uterus and reached pelvic floor. Then the reflex urge to push is activated. This is a strenuous physical process, so you have to work hard.

Average duration is 60 seconds. When it comes, you need to breathe as if during a contraction: take a deep breath and exhale completely. You should push while inhaling, trying to put pressure on the uterus with your entire diaphragm and filled lungs. If there is a lack of air, release top part lungs, without weakening the diaphragm, immediately inhale and continue to push. At the end of the attempt - a full breath and type I breathing. During this time, we must try to accumulate strength to continue childbirth.

In order not to be intimidated by so much information, you can distribute the mastery and practice of all types of breathing over a certain period. However, do not forget to “breathe” the second, third and fourth types at least once every day. All this will help you prepare for one of the most difficult and, at the same time, brightest days of your life!