Has anyone actually used breathing techniques when in labour??

[OnEdge]

I was just reading a pregnancy web site and they were saying to practice your breathing techniques for the labour.

This will be my third, I have never been taught any breathing techniques. Just wondered if they actually exist.

Also if they do, has anyone found them to be effective?

My breathing technique is bite down fucking hard on the gas n air mouthpeice and suck it in as hard as possible .

To add, the breathing REALLY came into its own with the after pains for those 3 too - they were f painful, and breathing was the only way to cope with them!

I was taught the golden thread breath in a yoga class which was amazing. By conentrating on the breathing you keep in control. As soon as I started to panic the pain intensified like nothing else. If I focused on the breathing it was loads easier. Got me through 2 births and couldn't recommend it enough. Also practicing before labour was good - even though it felt very silly!