Prenatal Visit Five: Breathwork for Childbirth

Jul 14

Breathing might sound simple — but in labor, it’s everything.

In your fifth prenatal doula visit, we focus on one of the most powerful tools you already have: your breath. This isn’t just about deep breathing. It’s about breathing with intention, using rhythm, sound, and body awareness to move through the intensity of childbirth with more control and less fear.

And the best part? It’s all covered by your Medi-Cal doula benefit.

Why Breathwork Matters in Labor

Your breath is your anchor.
It calms your nervous system, supports your contractions, and helps you move through each stage of labor — from early labor at home to active labor at the hospital.

Breathwork can help:

Lower anxiety
Increase oxygen flow to you and your baby
Reduce physical tension in your jaw, back, and pelvic floor
Support progress in labor by keeping you in a rhythm

And it gives you something to do when labor feels overwhelming.

What We Practice in This Visit

This is a movement-based, hands-on visit — and totally beginner-friendly. We guide you through breathing styles that match real labor scenarios:

1. Grounding Breath

For early labor or when anxiety kicks in
→ Deep inhales through the nose, long slow exhales through the mouth
→ Used to regulate your nervous system and stay present

2. Wave Breathing

For active labor
→ Riding each contraction like a wave, breathing in rhythm and exhaling through the peak
→ Helps you move with your contractions, not fight them

3. Horse Lips + Sighing

To release pelvic tension
→ Loose lips = loose hips! Vibrating your lips or sighing audibly relaxes the pelvic floor
→ Especially helpful when things get intense

4. Partner Breathing

If you have a support person, we can also practice breathing together
→ This builds connection and teaches your partner how to stay calm and present during labor

What’s Next?

Your next visit, our sixth and final prenatal, will bring everything together: a personalized birth preference sheet, postpartum planning, and a clear next step for support after delivery.

Want to prepare for birth with Melancentric?

Nadja Jackson