Breathing Techniques for Labour

Your breath is one of the most powerful tools you have during labour.

Slow, steady breathing can help calm your nervous system, reduce tension in the body and support you to work with each surge as it comes. It can also help you stay focused, conserve energy and feel more in control as labour progresses.

In pregnancy, practising simple breathing techniques can help these patterns feel more natural and easier to access when labour begins.

How breathing helps in labour

Breathing techniques can:

• encourage relaxation and reduce physical tension
• support the flow of oxytocin (the hormone that helps labour progress)
• help you stay present and focused during each surge
• give you something steady to return to if things feel intense

Watch

Breathing Techniques for Labour

In this video, I’ll guide you through a range of simple breathing techniques you can use during labour — from early labour through to the later stages.

🎥 Watch video