Before I had my second DC, I read this tip on MN and it made such a difference that I am going to pass it on

[BlameItOnTheBogey]

I've been meaning to start this thread for ages (DC2 is now 17 months!)

My birth with DC1 was straightforward but quite painful and I am a bit of a wimp with a low pain threshold. Had an epidural and thought it was marvelous. Was completely up for an epidural the second time around and have never really put much stock in e.g. yoga or breathing to make a difference in childbirth (although I'd been to all the classes because I'll try anything...).

Anyway, I read a post by someone on here about breathing in labour where they said that what had really helped them during contractions was to take a deep breath in and then to breathe out really hard as if trying to blow an imaginary spot off the wall or floor. I'd never had a breathing technique described in that way and so I tried it during my second labour. As it turns out, my second labour was more painful than the first (because of the speed - I went from 2-10 cms in under an hour) and I managed without an epidural because that breathing really did make a difference.

I wish I knew who it was who wrote that so I could thank them. But I don't, so instead I am just repeating the advice here in case it helps anyone else in the way it helped me.

Before I had my dc I thought that breathing was a load of rubbish, how in earth could it help???

2 dc later and I am happy to say I was wrong &would urge everyone who is pregnant to learn how to do it, and get your birthday partner on board. She was my breathing coach &without him I would have had an epidural with dd2 and one a lot earlier with dd1 (ended up with failed ventouse &Call - so vital in the end anyway iyswim)

My best tip was 'moo like a cow having a massage'. It really helped!

I can't remember where I got this tip, NCT or a hypnobirthing CD or somewhere...anyway!

When you are having a contraction, imagine it to be like a mountain - so when the pain is at its worst, you are at the peak and the only way is down, into the painfree valley between contractions.

I found visualising that really helped.

And breathing really does help. Gas and air is great because it encourages you to take really deep breaths too.

and counting...counting really helped me. I had a towel with flowers on that I was clutching during labour, and I counted the petals on the flowers during each contraction. Felt very focused on the job doing that

Oh and chanting. 'This will end' and 'This is natural' worked for me.

Counting really helped me - that and thinking 'Right I have DONE that contraction, that's one more I won't ever have to do again.'

I was a chanter too. As the contraction started I would say "It's coming,It's coming,It's coming,It's coming,It's coming" then once it peaked I'd say "its going,its going,its going,its going,its going" Really helped me!

Breathing using a similar visualisation as the OP. The anti natal yoga class I went to was more use to me during labour than any of the NHS anti natal stuff. Teacher suggested taking a picture or small object with you to focus on and breath out like you're blowing out a candle but from the bottom of your lungs not the top - stops you panicking too. It did work.

I also recommend breathing - got through a 24hr back to back home birth with my daughter that way and a normal home birth with my son too. Am planning it with DC3 in July.