[candynut]

I can't breathe deeply! I've always struggled with directed breathing exercises. Do I just breathe weird, or is this something everyone has to work at?

I'm trying to do the Hypnobabies home study course and of course it starts with deep breathing (breathe in through nose for 4 counts, than out through mouth 8 counts). I don't feel like I can get a deep breath just breathing through my nose. Talking about breathing makes me want to gulp air. I'm usually like this, but of course it's worse when I'm pregnant.

I've been trying to have a good attitude, but I'm getting frustrated. Does anyone have any tips? Thanks!!

 

[baileyandmikey]

Sorry, no help here... just keep working at it.

 

[Multimomma]

I have trouble breathing, I think its partly that I'm claustrophobic,and partly that I've always tended towards respiratory problems. I always cut the breathing count, because it's supposed to be what is comfortable for you. Try it with three and six, and see how it works. It might be that after practicing that for a while, you can extend. it might just be that this is your limit and that's okay.

I can also breath deeper through my mouth, and I know that the point is to circulate the air, but if more oxygen is needed, I'll go through my mouth slowly to prevent hyperventilating, rather than not get enough oxygen.

You're doing fine!

 

[candynut]

Thanks for the encouragement! I took a little break and then tried again. I put on looser clothing and sat up higher and that helped. Actually, I think it was my best homestudy yet because I kept coming out of hypnosis and realizing I had been in hypnosis! Cool!

I think I panicked a little because it's just going to get harder to breathe as I get bigger!

 

[cairomama]

I am also doing the Hypnobabies homestudy program and I have trouble with the exhale. My yoga teacher suggested making a vowel sound with the exhale to extend the exhale. Also, I don't focus on making it to 8 all the time.

Try practicing your deep breathing sitting up, when you are awake. For inhale, try to fill your lower belly first and then bring the air up through your chest.

For nose breathing, make sure your nasal passages are clear. I use a neti pot (little pot that can be purchased at most health food stores that you fill with warm salt water and run through your nostrils) and it really helps. If you have allergies and sinus problems and use a neti pot regularly it will eliminate or greatly reduce your symptoms.

 

[DeannaK]

I don't worry about it. Since I became pregnant I've had a bit of a stuffy nose, mostly at night. That is something I'm so not used to and very annoying. The breathing exercises were driving me nuts. As soon as I just relaxed and didn't worry about the breathing I did better.

Deep breaths are nearly impossible right now with twin boys that feel like they are climbing into my lungs.

 

[She2dancer]

another tip for breathing is to think of your breath three-dimensionally, rather than just breathing in and out....

When we breath we should be filling up our lungs and expanding our ribcages in the front, sides AND back of our body...so the inhale should really increase the entire circumference of your body....for many people breathing into our backs is very difficult since we spend so much time sitting and thus tightening our back muscles. In order to increase the amount of air you intake on each breath you sometimes need to loosen up those tight muscles across your back. Try bending forward from your bra-line (as much as you can at this point in your pregnancy of course

) to inhibit the lungs from expanding in the front and take really deep breaths into your back...you should feel some stretching in your back...if you do this a few times a day, it should really help to increase your inhalation capacity.

I have spent quite a bit of time studying breath and breathing

There are some other breathing exercises I can give you too, let me know if you want anymore....

And if you have some spare time and are really interested in breath (and why you might breath the way you do, or how the way you breath effects you) pick up "The Breathing Book" by Donna Fahri....she has lots of great info in there

I hope this helped a little bit

 

[liliaceae]

I have the same problem. Well I am comfortable breathing in through nose and out through mouth, but I hate timing my breath according to someone else. I just ignore how long she says to do it for and do what is comfortable for me. I inhale and exhale deeply for as long as is comfortable, but I don't time it. In my yoga class we're supposed to breathe out through our nose and I never do that, I feel like I can only get a full exhalation through my mouth.

 

[Hollin]

I can't do the 8 count exhale on hypnobabies either. I don't think it's decreased my ability to go into hypnosis.

 

[rockinbaby]

I am taking an actual hypnobirthing class and was having trouble breathing deeply, so the practitioner told me to place my hands on my stomach, one above the other and to breathe in deeply so that my hands would separate. This is easier done when not too far along, since I started class before I was showing. But the jist is that you should feel your whole stomach move and not just your chest.

Hope that helps someone!!!

 

[candynut]

Thanks again for the replies! I think part of my problem when I posted was that I just had lunch and I was trying to breathe on a full stomach. I need to eat smaller meals!

I play flute, so I'm used to taking really deep, big breaths, but I guess I'm used to taking them really quickly.

I appreciate all the tips though! It's getting easier and I'm trying not to stress about it and breathe at my own pace.

 

[leila1213]

Haven't read other replies, but I felt the same way with Hypnobirthing. You will get better as you practice. What helped me in the beginning, and really all the way through, was that you can just count faster. Still do in for 4, out for 8, or whatever it is telling you to do, but just don't count so slow. Make it comfortable for yourself, then as you get better, you can count more slowly and breathe more deeply. HTH!