Inside the FREE Masterclass: BREATHING TECHNIQUES FOR LABOUR and how Hypnobirthing helps you stay calm and in control
- Kathy Rougier
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
Birth can feel like the great unknown. For many mums-to-be, the stories we hear about labour leave us feeling nervous, tense, and unsure if we’ll really be able to cope. But what if your breath could be the key to unlocking calm, strength, and even joy in childbirth?
In this FREE Pregnant and Popped Masterclass, I sat down with Maud from Bliss in Birth, a certified hypnobirthing educator who discovered the power of breathing during her own pregnancy. What started as a Google search for “how to relax during pregnancy” transformed her entire birth experience – and led her to train with the Hypnobirthing Institute so she could share these techniques with other mums.
Why breathing matters in birth
Breathing isn’t just about oxygen – though that’s vital for both you and your baby. The way you breathe also:
Relaxes your body and reduces stress, which helps you feel more in control
Manages pain naturally by easing tension
Deepens your connection with your body and your baby
Empowers your birth partner to support you in a meaningful way
Adapts to each stage of labour, from early contractions through to pushing
As Maud explained, when we fear labour, our bodies tense up – and that tension creates more pain. Breathing is the tool that allows us to break the cycle.
Real Mum Stories
During the masterclass, Maud was joined by Victoria, a mum of two, who shared how hypnobirthing transformed her second birth.
With her first baby, she felt out of control, resorted to outdated “hoo hoo” breathing, and needed a vacuum to help with delivery. By her second, she had learned calming, surge, and J breathing techniques. This time, she tuned into her body, blocked out unnecessary noise from others, and gave birth in her own way – feeling powerful, present, and fully in control.
Even more powerful, she still uses these breathing tools postpartum – to manage stress with a toddler and newborn, and even to calm panic attacks in the car.
A practical breathing technique for labour you can try today
Maud guided us through a simple breathing practice you can start using straight away.
Try it now:
Sit comfortably with one hand on your belly, the other on your chest.
Inhale gently through your nose, feeling your belly expand.
Exhale slowly through your nose, letting your belly soften.
Breathe in for a count of 4, pause, and exhale for a count of 8.
Just a few rounds can leave you feeling lighter, calmer, and more grounded.
Beyond the birth room
One of the biggest takeaways from this session was that hypnobirthing isn’t just for mums planning an unmedicated vaginal birth. These techniques can support you in every scenario – whether your plan changes suddenly, whether you’re having a caesarean, or even in the early days postpartum (yes, even that first poo!).
As Maud put it, hypnobirthing is about empowerment and letting go. It’s about learning to trust your body, and taking tools with you into parenthood that help far beyond labour.
Want to learn more?
Maud teaches private and group hypnobirthing classes, both online and in-person. Her group classes in Singapore are a space where mums can connect and build their own mini-village.
You can find Maud on the Pregnant and Popped Directory to book a free call.
Final Thoughts
As someone who has supported countless mums through the postpartum period, I only wish I’d known about these techniques for my own birth. Breathing is free, accessible, and always with you – and as Maud and Victoria showed us, it can truly transform the way you meet your baby.
Because in the end, labour doesn’t have to feel like something that happens to you. With the right tools, you can feel calm, capable, and even blissful as you welcome your little one into the world.
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