Hypnobirthing breathing not working!

[Chocolatelover45]

Currently in labour probably still latent phase (contractions about 6 -10 min apart lasting 1 minute) but contractions are very painful. Why is hypnobirthing breathing not working? What am I doing wrong? It felt so nice and relaxing before there was any pain, but now it doesn't seem to make any difference!

Wish I had a tens machine but wasn't expecting to go early...

It doesn't necessarily make it not painful but can be useful for getting through them without panicking or shouting. Use the breath to pace yourself - two or three breaths and it's usually over!

Good luck :)

The breathing won’t make it not painful. It should hopefully keep you more relaxed though. The more tense you are the more painful it will be.

I used to breathing as something else to concentrate on, it didn't take the pain away, but I didn't focus on it, I also counted my breaths in and out, nice and slowly.
Try listening to some music, I found I could concentrate better without anyone talking to me and focussing on the music and breathing.
Lastly, good luck Lovely, wishing you a safe labour and birth xx

What I discovered for my second labour is that if you try to relax as much as possible with each contraction then it'll go quicker.
If it gets too much take pain relief.

Thank you for the kind and reassuring comments x

I found it was the visualisation that helped rather than the breathing.

Just focus on remaining calm while you reach the peak of the contraction before you fall off the other side as it recedes. Although stamping my feet was also helpful but not calm

Try different patterns of movement, too - for me the pain was worst if I tried to stay still through the contraction and best if I lent over, say onto the kitchen counter, and then gyrated my hips

Have you got something you can squeeze? A squeeze toy or something soft?

I used a squeezy dinosaur & squeezed in to breathe & let go to let it out. It really helps you focus.

There’s also the pain dial, imaging the numbers going down.

Good luck, if you need pain management ask for it. No one gets any medals here.

I squeezed a tea towel so you don't need anything fancy.

I kept repeating the mantra SOS - sigh out slowly.
It helped keep my breathing steady and made sure I fully exhaled.

Just focus your mind and try to visualise where you are going.

Good luck

I have done labour 3 times and my breathing has got me through them all, though I have always accepted gas and air towards the end. Doesn't take away the pain at all so maybe your expectations are too high, however I felt it gave me something to focus on rather than the pain, and I felt more in control of the contractions.

Hang in there, you can do this xx

I found breathing didn’t help me - what did was distraction so I stamped/matched up and down and clapped (and sang which stopped me holding my breath and tending my jaw) during each contraction. Don’t pin your hat on one thing...move around and try different things til you find something that helps and you find your groove

How's it going OP?

If this helps, try to use visualisation with each contraction. Think of the purpose the contraction serves, in that each one brings you closer to meeting your baby, and with each one your muscles are working to move baby down etc etc. An image/visualisation that worked for me was imagining rowing across a very calm lake. I was on my own in the boat so I had to do all the work, but I would think of the rowing motion as I exhaled and imagined how it was making me glide across the water. Make the exhalation as long and controlled as you can. I hope this all helps - good luck!!!

Oh and yes as PPs have said - ask for pain relief if you need it!! No shame in that AT ALL. Whatever it takes to get through!

The singing and squeezing tips are working ok. Better than breathing alone. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
Next question: how long is this going to take? Been going since 8 am yesterday morning so far, with pain ramping up at 1 am this morning and again at 11 am this morning.

They said don't go in until 3 contractions every 10 min - but it's nowhere near that yet!

No idea how long it will take, sorry! But i felt that things speeded up for me bouncing on the ball and walking about/ keeping active

It could be any length of time, sorry. Don't listen to the midwives about only coming in at a certain duration, if you need help coping then go in. I have had 2 home births and can confirm there are no medals handed out for no pain relief

Baby will be here soon, just keep moving around slowly and keep eating and drinking (and going to the loo, baby can't come out if your bladder is full).

How long is a piece of string!

Do you feel relaxed and safe? That will help you progress.
You’ll be holding your baby soon I’m sure

Try and keep moving figure of 8s with your hips, I used my worktop to lean on, it can help distract you a bit, and also help baby move down.

As PP said, if you feel the need to go in, go, or at least ask about pain relief, keep drinking too, keep hydrated.

Just think you will soon being holding that little bundle and you will have achieved the most amazing thing ever, having your baby.

Keep going Lovely, you can do this xx

Get yourself to Tesco's well not you ! But maybe someone else and you can hire a TENS I sent my other half out to get me one at 5am in the morning !! I really found it worked !!

Still no progress in terms of frequency of contractions but handling them much better now. Even managed to sleep for a couple of hours (in stints of 5 minutes) whereas just lying down was agony before. Glad the midwife dissuaded me from rushing in earlier.
This thread has been a huge help - thanks so much

When I was in labour I had a bath, listened to a Harry Potter audio book read by Stephen fry, did my breathing techniques and visualisations (empty beach in Cuba).
That seemed to help me by blocking out everyone and everything around me.
When in hospital I took the gas and air but managed to continue with my breathing by doing it the other way round - in through the mouth, out through the nose.

You're getting closer to meeting your baby, good luck

If you’re still up, try a bath. I found breathing did not help with pain but being in the water reduced the intensity of the contractions (for half an hr or so!). And if you need a break try hands and knees but drop to your elbows - bum in the air - takes some pressure off your cervix while you rest. Best of luck, hopefully baby in your arms soon!

Early? How many weeks pregnant are you?

Try a bath -I found water really helpful. Or if in hospital ask if they have a TENS machine. I marched around during contractions.

Update - baby born last weds, was 5 cm when I went in, so not surprising it was getting a bit painful! All worth it now of course :D