There does not seem to be a better time to put a pranayama practice to use than during labor.
While a woman may have a solid yoga practice, sometimes during the intensity of childbirth she forgets everything that she has learned!
A yoga practice, including pranayama, provides a woman with a solid foundation to go into childbirth empowered, strong, and focused on the amazing task at hand.
Experiencing childbirth, especially for the first time, can be scary and stressful to a new mom (and for other family members, too!). But when a woman is afraid, her body produces adrenaline and shuts down the production of oxytocin, a hormone that helps labor progress.
By remembering to practice simple ujayi breathing at all times during labor, a woman can stay focused and feel more in control of her pain-response.
She can dissolve away fears through regular pranayama. Women have a tendency to hold their breath when they push, which cuts off oxygen to the baby, tightens the whole body, and makes the entire process more painful.
Instead of tightening up, pranayama will help her to relax and open up, facilitating an easier childbirth. Deep, regular breathing not only nourishes the baby with oxygen, it also helps to conserve energy for the new mom.
Only simple breathing techniques should be used.
This is not the appropriate time to test out all kinds of new and fancy exercises!
No pranayama should be practiced that involves holding the breath for long periods of time, nor should any exercises be done that contract the stomach muscles tightly. Ujayi breathing, which is slow, deep breathing through the nose and out the nose, works the best in this case.
By remembering pranayama throughout labor, a woman can feel more connected with her body and can lessen her fears, creating emotional space to actually find joy in this process of labor. At the same time, her baby is being nourished with fresh oxygen and gets to be come into the world welcomed by a calm and centered mother.
