The flower bloom breath for labour
The flower bloom breath 🌸 is a breathing-visualization technique that I have been sharing with my pregnant mamas as they get ready for labor. This technique helps to relax the pelvic floor and opens the body for birthing. In addition, it also soothes the nervous system which ultimately helps with pain. I recommend you practice this technique daily 3-4 weeks before your due date and when you are doing your perineum stretching.
🌸 Take a few deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth.
🌸 Imagine the ribcage expanding like a balloon as you inhale and deflating as you exhale.
🌸 Notice the expansion of the ribcage from side to side, front to back and bottom to top as you inhale.
🌸 Imagine your perineum (the area between your vaginal opening and anus) blooming and fluffing out like a flower as you inhale and exhale.
🌸 Notice what’s happening in your jaw and whether your teeth are grinding. See if you can gently release your jaw and allow the top and bottom row of your teeth to separate. Allow your lips to part slightly.
🌸 Notice any tension in your cheekbones, eye sockets and forehead as you breath in and out.
🌸 Notice whether your throat feels tight and see if you can allow your throat to soften.
🌸 See if you can soften and melt around the base of your ribcage (where your diaphragm is) as you breath in and out
🌸 See if you can soften your sacrum and tailbone, your pubic bone and your sitz bones as you breath in and out
🌸 Notice any tension in the rest of your body, your neck and shoulders, your legs and feet and see if you can let the tension melt away
🌸 Notice what is happening in your body without judgement. There is no right or wrong. No good or bad. And if there is judgment, notice what it is and the feelings that come with it.
🌸 Re-iterate this script as many times as you need throughout your labour and while you are pushing
Please contact me if you have any questions about this technique. I am here to support you mama. 🌸🌸🌸
By Mia Dang, PT / a registered physiotherapist with extensive supplementary training in pelvic floor physiotherapy and perinatal care
