A laboring woman not yet fully dilated is pushing; which breathing method helps prevent pushing with the urge?

• A. Cleansing breaths
• B. Holding her breath and using the Valsalva maneuver
• C. Blowing repeatedly in short puffs
• D. Deep inspiration and expiration at the beginning and end, respectively, of each contraction

Answer: (C)

During early labor, when the cervix isn’t fully dilated, you want to manage the urge to push so that bearing down doesn’t start prematurely. Blowing repeatedly in short puffs creates a controlled, relaxed exhale pattern that dampens the urge to push and prevents bearing down before the cervix is ready. It helps keep intra-abdominal pressure more manageable and preserves maternal and fetal oxygenation better than holding the breath and performing a Valsalva maneuver, which can raise pressure, reduce venous return, and intensify the urge to push. The other techniques either promote pushing, are not aimed specifically at suppressing the urge, or are general relaxation breaths used at different times of labor.