[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":3,"doc-seo-404106-105":59,"doc-detail-404106-en":131},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,13,18,23,28,33,38,43,48,51,55],{"id":8,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":10,"show_sort_weight":11,"slug":12},1,"Document","Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":14,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":15,"show_sort_weight":16,"slug":17},2,"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":19,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":20,"show_sort_weight":21,"slug":22},4,"Exam",70,"exam",{"id":24,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":25,"show_sort_weight":26,"slug":27},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":29,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":30,"show_sort_weight":31,"slug":32},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":34,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":35,"show_sort_weight":36,"slug":37},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":39,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":40,"show_sort_weight":41,"slug":42},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":44,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":45,"show_sort_weight":46,"slug":47},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":46,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":49,"show_sort_weight":46,"slug":50},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":52,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":53,"show_sort_weight":52,"slug":54},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":56,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":57,"show_sort_weight":24,"slug":58},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":60,"data":61},"ok",{"site_id":62,"language":63,"slug":64,"title":65,"keywords":66,"description":67,"schema_data":68,"social_meta":124,"head_meta":126,"extra_data":128,"updated_unix":130},105,"en","breathing-positions-and-massage-for-labour-comfort","Breathing - positions and massage for labour comfort","","Handout explaining simple, practical strategies to manage discomforts of labour through breathing techniques, mindful breathing awareness, supportive positioning, and touch-based comfort. Covers practicing breathing awareness before labour, using easy positions (standing, sitting, leaning forward, kneeling with support), and responding to faster contractions by slowing breath or using a calm “sigh out slowly” rhythm. Also includes massage, firm pressure support, and guidance for first stage, transition, and second stage positions to relax, conserve energy, and improve comfort.",{"@graph":69,"@context":123},[70,84,106],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":35,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/healthcare/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/breathing-positions-and-massage-for-labour-comfort/404106/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/breathing-positions-and-massage-for-labour-comfort/404106.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"Jake","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-11-04","2026-09-27",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":105},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",11,{"@type":107,"mainEntity":108},"FAQPage",[109,115,119],{"name":110,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":112},"How can breathing awareness help during labour?","Question",{"text":113,"@type":114},"Breathing awareness helps you become familiar with a comfortable breathing level and speed. Practice it regularly before labour and in positions you may use during labour to find what feels right for you.","Answer",{"name":116,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":117},"What should you do if your breathing becomes fast during stronger contractions?",{"text":118,"@type":114},"Focus on breathing and try to slow it down as slowly as the contraction allows. If a contraction catches you off-guard, use a “sigh out slowly” rhythm to help calm your breathing.",{"name":120,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":121},"How can massage and partner support reduce discomfort during labour?",{"text":122,"@type":114},"Massage can relieve discomfort and tension, helping you relax and support natural labour processes. Firm pressure holds, such as a partner’s hands holding your hips during a contraction, can provide comfort and relief.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":83,"og:type":125,"og:title":65,"og:site_name":95,"og:description":67},"article",{"robots":127,"canonical":83},"index,follow",{"doc_id":129,"site_id":62},404106,1790939635,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":132},{"doc_id":129,"user_id":133,"nickname":92,"user_avatar":134,"doc_module":4,"category_id":34,"category_name":35,"doc_title":65,"doc_description":67,"doc_content":135,"file_id":136,"file_url":137,"file_type":138,"file_size":139,"view_count":105,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":8,"is_downloadable":8,"audit_status":8,"page_count":19,"language":140,"language_code":63,"site_id":62,"html_lang":63,"table_of_contents":141,"faqs":142,"seo_title":143,"seo_description":67,"update_tm":144,"read_time":52,"preview_page_count":4},962084928904,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_155a257f0dc6eb9ab79c44ca47cae57d","There are many simple strategies for helping to manage the discomforts of labour. Try all of the different methods in this handout to work out what feels right for you – every woman is different!  \nWel lbeing, Government of South Austra l ia . All rights reserved .  \nBreathing  \nThe use of breathing techniques to help manage labour has been a part of childbirth education since the 1940s. There are many varieties of breathing technique, and there is no “best” technique for every woman. The most effective strategy is to practice breathing awareness regularly before labour to work out your own most comfortable level and speed of breathing.  \nBreathing awareness  \nBreathing awareness can be done anywhere and anytime but it is easiest when you are resting comfortably. Practice your breathing awareness in positions you might use in labour: standing, sitting, leaning forwards, and kneeling with support from a birth ball and/or pillows.  \n1) Find a comfortable position. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. As you breathe out, notice the relaxation in your body. Direct your breathing down to your pelvis and pelvic floor – feel this area soften and relax as you breathe out.  \n2) Place your hands on your tummy and notice the rhythm of your breathing – pay close attention to the way your belly expands into your hands while your chest stays still as your breath moves down to touch your baby.  \n3) Think about your baby tucked safely inside and spend a few quiet moments relaxing together.  \nBreathing for labour  \nIn early labour, you will find that regular position changes, gentle rocking, massage and being in the shower useful ways to  \nmanage discomfort.  \nWhen the strength of the contractions increases and you notice that your breath is speeding up, focus on your breathing and try to slow your breathing down, as slowly as the contraction allows. You do not need to breathe in a certain way or pattern – concentrate on slowing your breath as much as you can.  \nIf you have a contraction that catches you off-guard and your breathing becomes fast and panicky, try to focus on a “sigh out slowly” rhythm to help calm your breathing.  \nMassage and touch  \nMassage can be very comforting during labour to help relieve discomfort and tension. It can help you to relax your body and be open to the natural processes of labour, as well as helping to calm and soothe your baby. Massage takes practice to work out what feels good and which areas of your body need to be massaged.  \nDuring labour, firm pressure holds can also give you comfort and relief. For example, your partner’s hands firmly holding your hips during a contraction can help to reduce your discomfort.  \nGovernment of South Austra l ia . All rights reserved .  \nPositions for labour  \nFirst stage of labour  \nThe positions below will help you to relax, conserve energy and increase comfort.  \n> Try to stay upright and walk around for as long as possible in early labour.  \n> Use pillows, bean bags, chairs, birth balls and other people for support.  \n> Pelvic rocking can help ease backache and help your baby to descend and turn.  \nChange your position as often as you need to feel comfortable .  \nDuring transition  \n> Standing or sitting in the shower may be helpful.  \n> Hot towels over your buttocks can help with backache .  \n> Your midwife may suggest putting your knees to your chest to help reduce the urge to push.  \nGovernment of South Austra l ia . All rights reserved .  \nSecond stage of labour  \n> If you are not comfortable, try a different position. You may need to try several positions to find the best position to push in.  \n> Sitting on the toilet can help to make early pushing contractions better coordinated and effective (a mirror can also help you to watch your baby’s progress and coordinate your pushing) .  \nGovernment of South Austra l ia . All rights reserved .","cbCaih6HUGyrqjyH","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaih6HUGyrqjyH","pdf",1591559,"English","# Breathing\n## Breathing awareness\n## Breathing for labour\n# Massage and touch\n# Positions for labour\n## First stage of labour\n## During transition\n## Second stage of labour","[{\"question\":\"How can breathing awareness help during labour?\",\"answer\":\"Breathing awareness helps you become familiar with a comfortable breathing level and speed. Practice it regularly before labour and in positions you may use during labour to find what feels right for you.\"},{\"question\":\"What should you do if your breathing becomes fast during stronger contractions?\",\"answer\":\"Focus on breathing and try to slow it down as slowly as the contraction allows. If a contraction catches you off-guard, use a “sigh out slowly” rhythm to help calm your breathing.\"},{\"question\":\"How can massage and partner support reduce discomfort during labour?\",\"answer\":\"Massage can relieve discomfort and tension, helping you relax and support natural labour processes. Firm pressure holds, such as a partner’s hands holding your hips during a contraction, can provide comfort and relief.\"}]","Breathing - positions and massage for labour comfort | PDF",1790545826]