The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Slow breathing tones down labour pain

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Slow breathing tones down labour pain

Staff Reporter

Health exhibition held to mark ‘International Midwives’ Day

Social support
plays a vital
role in allaying the fears of
pregnant women.

TIRUCHI: Demonstration of antenatal and postnatal exercises and role plays to encourage institutional deliveries were part of a three-day health exhibition hosted by Dr. G. Sakunthala College of Nursing at Corporation maternity centres.

As a part of ‘International Midwives’ Day celebration, the college has been conducting maternity awareness programmes since November. The exhibition, put up at five maternity centres in Thennur, Srirangam, East Boulevard Road, Woraiyur and Teppakulam, threw light on aspects of antenatal and postnatal care.

Charts explaining the anatomical and physiological changes in women during pregnancy were on display.

Breathing techniques that assuage the labour pains were demonstrated, alongside a video presentation on child care.

Slow-paced breathing, without holding the breath for more than six seconds, toned down the pain and reduced blood loss.

Social support played a vital role in allaying the fears of pregnant women.

Walking and simple floor exercises could also avert complications during delivery, the visitors were told.

The ‘rule of ten’ highlighted the normal physiological changes that occur in women — maximum of 10 kg of weight gain and 10 months of pregnancy and maintaining 10 gram of haemoglobin. Pamphlets carrying the list of vaccines for both mother and child were distributed and a low-cost and nutritious diet regime was prescribed by the volunteers.

‘Kangaroo care,’ a medical technique where the newborn is placed on the bosom of mother and father to provide warmth and comfort, were suggested to the visitors.

“The exhibition’s aim is to sensitise women from economically backward classes on the myths and realities of pregnancy,” said Irene Light, Professor of Maternity Nursing of the college.

About 50 volunteers from the college coordinated the exhibition.

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