Practicing breath awareness is an important part of preparing for birth. Here are a couple of breathing techniques you can do daily to help reduce stress and anxiety while increasing oxygen, blood flow and circulation.

Belly breathing: Sit comfortably and put your hand on your belly. Take a deep breath in through your nose and let your belly push your hand out. As you slowly blow air out through pursed lips, your hand should go in as your belly contracts and you exhale.

Ujjayi breathing or "ocean breath": Sit comfortably. Rest your hands on your legs palms facing up. Take a deep slow inhale through your nose while constricting the muscles in your throat. Exhale through your nostrils with the throat constricted. You may hear a sound like hissing or light snoring. This type of breathing takes practice but can be very beneficial. Be careful not to hold your breath or breathe too forcefully using the abdomen.

It is never too early to learn how to connect with your breath. Controlling your breath will help you relax during labor. Your breath can also help you focus your energy and push your baby out. It is essential for sustaining you whether your labor is long or short!