The labor nurse is reviewing breathing techniques with a primiparous patient admitted for induction of labor. When is the best time to encourage the laboring patient to use slow, deep chest breathing with contractions?

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Focused breathing techniques should not be used in labor until they are actually needed, which is usually when the woman can no longer walk and talk during a contraction. If breathing techniques are used too early, the woman tends to move through the different techniques too quickly, and she may stop using them. In addition, the use of the more complex breathing patterns in latent labor may increase fatigue. Women should be encouraged to adapt the techniques to their own comfort and needs. Breathing deeply between contractions or pushing can increase the possibility of carbon dioxide retention and make the patient dizzy.

The Labor Nurse Is Reviewing Breathing Techniques with a Primiparous