Breathing Exercises for Labor and Childbirth: Lamaze, Hypnobirthing and Evidence
What research and UK guidance say about breathing and relaxation for labor, including Lamaze-style classes and hypnobirthing, and how to plan with your maternity team.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Urgent first
This page is general information, not a birth plan. If something feels wrong in pregnancy or labor, or you cannot catch your breath, contact your maternity team or call your local emergency number (911 in the US) right away. Do not wait to finish a breathing exercise.Where breathing fits in labor preparation
Many childbirth classes teach breathing together with relaxation, movement and information. The NHS lists learning how to relax, stay calm and breathe deeply among the self-help steps that may help you cope in labor, and suggests antenatal classes. [1] A column on Lamaze breathing describes it as one of many comfort strategies taught in Lamaze classes. [2]Hypnobirthing is a different kind of course. In one trial we read, couples attended group sessions for 4 weeks, once a week, for 3 hours. [3] The sources we read do not describe one standard hypnobirthing programme, so what you are offered depends on the class.
What official guidance says
NICE, the UK guideline body, says breathing exercises, a shower or bath, and massage may reduce pain in the latent (early) first stage of labor. [4] It also says that if a woman chooses breathing and relaxation techniques, her choice should be supported. [4]For hypnosis, NICE says staff should not offer it during labor but should support a woman who wants to use it. [4] The NHS lists hypnosis among alternative treatments and says most of these are not proven to provide effective pain relief. [1]
What the research shows
Evidence label key: established, promising but limited, mixed, insufficient evidence.| Question | What the sources found | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Relaxation methods for labor pain (a Cochrane review that included relaxation, yoga, music and mindfulness) | Relaxation lowered pain compared with usual care in the early phase of labor. [5] For the active phase there was no strong evidence of a difference between groups. [5] The evidence was rated low to very low quality. [5] | Promising but limited |
| Lamaze breathing plus nursing support | A meta-analysis of 22 trials in 7,035 first-time mothers reported more natural births with Lamaze breathing training combined with nursing support. [6] The nursing package included postural care, a delivery ball, doula support, massage and psychological care, so breathing cannot be separated out. [6] | Promising but limited |
| Breathing exercises taught before labor | One single-centre, single-blinded trial taught first-time mothers breathing exercises to practice daily and during active labor. [7] It reported higher odds of a spontaneous start to labor than standard care. [7] | Insufficient evidence (one trial) |
| Hypnobirthing training | In a trial of 80 first-time mothers, fear and pain scores were lower in the hypnobirthing group than in routine care. [3] | Mixed |
| Hypnosis for labor (Cochrane, 9 trials) | Women in hypnosis groups were less likely to use drug pain relief, but not less likely to use an epidural. [8] There were no clear differences in satisfaction with pain relief. [8] The authors rated the evidence low quality. [8] | Mixed |
Keeping it comfortable
The sources we read describe breathing in labor in general terms, such as breathing deeply or slowly. [1] For gas and air, the NHS says it works best with slow, deep breaths. [1] Nothing we read supports fast, forced or breath-holding patterns, and we do not give instructions for them.MedlinePlus lists feeling lightheaded, dizzy or weak among the symptoms of overbreathing. [10] If any pattern you were taught leaves you dizzy or faint, tell your midwife or doctor and return to slow, comfortable breathing. For more on the signs, see dizziness, tingling and fainting during breathing exercises.
Making a plan with your team
The NHS suggests asking your midwife or doctor what is available so you can decide what is best for you. [1] It also reminds women to keep an open mind, because you may want more pain relief than you planned. [1] Breathing practice can sit beside medical options. It does not have to be either-or.Choosing a class
Class content, teacher training and what is promised differ widely. Credentials for childbirth class teachers are not described in the sources we read, so ask about their training, whether the class covers medical pain relief and what to do if labor changes course, and be wary of anyone who promises a pain-free or intervention-free birth. For general guidance, see choosing a qualified practitioner.Related pages
Frequently asked questions
Do breathing exercises reduce labor pain?
The evidence is limited. Relaxation lowered early-labor pain in one Cochrane comparison, with low to very low quality evidence. [5] NICE says breathing exercises may reduce pain in the early first stage. [4]
Is Lamaze breathing proven to work?
A meta-analysis of Lamaze breathing plus nursing support reported more natural births, but the nursing package makes it impossible to credit breathing alone. [6] Lamaze classes teach breathing as one of many comfort strategies. [2]
Is hypnobirthing proven?
Not clearly. One trial found lower fear and pain scores. [3] A Cochrane review found fewer women used drug pain relief but no clear difference in satisfaction, and rated the evidence low quality. [8] NICE says hypnosis should not be offered in labor but should be supported if a woman wants it. [4]
Can I use breathing instead of an epidural or other pain relief?
You can choose breathing and relaxation, and NICE says that choice should be supported. [4] The NHS advises keeping an open mind, since you may want more pain relief than planned. [1]
What if breathing practice makes me dizzy?
Stop and breathe normally. Dizziness and lightheadedness are listed as symptoms of overbreathing. [10] Tell your midwife or doctor, and call for help (911 in the US) if you feel faint or cannot get your breath.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
How to read these results
The relaxation review also notes that most trials did not report on safety. [5] That is a gap in the research, not proof of harm or of safety.
Breathing is not a replacement for medical pain relief. The same overview found that epidurals relieve pain effectively but come with a higher chance of an instrumental vaginal birth. [9] It says methods should be matched to each woman's wishes, needs and circumstances. [9]
References
- NHS (UK), page last reviewed 13 March 2023. Pain relief in labour. Read 2026-10-22.
- Journal of Perinatal Education 2011. Lamaze breathing: what every pregnant woman needs to know (abstract of a column). Read 2026-10-22.
- Randomized trial of Hypnobirthing training, Clinical Nursing Research 2022. Effect of Hypnobirthing Training on Fear, Pain, Satisfaction Related to Birth, and Birth Outcomes. Read 2026-10-22.
- NICE (UK), guideline NG235 Intrapartum care, published 29 September 2023. Recommendations. Read 2026-10-22.
- Smith CA and colleagues, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018. Relaxation techniques for pain management in labour. Read 2026-10-22.
- Meta-analysis of Lamaze breathing training with nursing intervention in first-time mothers, Medicine (Baltimore) 2021. PubMed record. Read 2026-10-22.
- Single-centre trial of antepartum breathing exercises, F1000Research 2022. Effectiveness of antepartum breathing exercises on the outcome of labour. Read 2026-10-22.
- Madden K and colleagues, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016. Hypnosis for pain management during labour and childbirth. Read 2026-10-22.
- Jones L and colleagues, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012. Pain management for women in labour: an overview of systematic reviews. Read 2026-10-22.
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, review date 7/23/2024. Hyperventilation. Read 2026-10-22.