Does anyone have any advice regarding useful breathing techniques during childbirth? What worked for you? My midwife doesn't generally cover this (I suppose because different techniques work for different people). However, this time I would like to have some ideas of what I could try because last time my breathing was a mess and I felt totally unprepared.

I encourage you to look into the Bradley Method, AKA Husband-Coached Childbirth. The classes totally prepare you for childbirth (if DH can't attend classes with you, a good friend or female family member who can be with you during labor and birth can also coach). There are a couple books out there about it, if for some reason you can't attend classes.

I'm a first time mom-to-be, so I can't tell you from experience, but my instructor and tons of other women who have used this method will swear by it.

RE breathing: the books/classes teach a woman simply to breathe deeply from the abdomen, while totally relaxing through every contraction.

Hope this helps! :)

I also recommend the Bradley method! My husband and I took the classes and our birth was awesome! :)

Is it true that the Lamaze method is not taught anymore? Just wondering because a few friends looked into it and were told it's now a "no no"

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ditto...bradley method has some good stuff

we glanced at those books but never took any classes
Apparently I'm just a natural at the breathing part, my midwives just sit back in awe LOL (this is what they have told me)

basically, for proper breathing...don't hold your breath. breathe out as things get intense Breathe in low and deep Make low, deep, growling/moaning kind of noises, keep mouth/jaw loose and relaxed. All those things come together to make for better breathing.

hth

Yeah...for me....didn't matter what method I tried...I just had a hard time breathing period through the pain! LOL So, study and try, but if you fail, just remember that you will huff and puff and hypreventilate through it somehow! ...I recommend prayer most! LOL

Used Lamaze. I think it's still taught.