Breathing is something we are constantly doing, and seldom paying much attention to. When you are pregnant, the changes your body is going through can also have an impact on your breathing. While breathing is typically done without you having to think about it, you can control your breath, and how you breathe can have a big impact on your mood, anxiety, hormone levels, blood pressure, heart rate, and even your perception of pain. There is evidence to support controlled breathing during labor to promote relaxation and cope with contractions. Plus, there is some evidence showing which breathing techniques can be used in the pushing stage of labor that may help avoid vaginal tearing. These techniques can apply to you whether you are planning an un-medicated birth, you know you want an epidural, or even during a cesarean birth.

Show notes: http://pregnancypodcast.com/episode143/

Thank you to Mommy Steps for their support of this episode. Mommy Steps makes insoles specifically for pregnancy. They have insoles for athletic shoes and ones for flats or boots. You can even heat them in your oven and mold them to your own foot to make you more comfortable and to prevent foot issues during pregnancy. Mommy Steps is offering an exclusive 20% off for listeners of the Pregnancy Podcast. To check them out go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/feet/ and enter the promo code FEET when you checkout.

Thank you to Zahler for their support of this episode. Zahler makes a high quality prenatal vitamin that has the active form of folate, that I prefer after all of the research I have read on folic acid, plus it has omega 3s and DHA. This is the prenatal vitamin I take and the one I recommend. Zahler is offering an exclusive discount to listeners of the Pregnancy Podcast. To check out the vitamin and find out how you can save 25% when you buy a one month supply on Amazon go to http://pregnancypodcast.com/vitamin/

Thank you to Evenflo who makes the EveryStage car seat for their support of this episode. The EveryStage car seat is an infant seat, convertible, and booster all in one and it has 10 different positions that will keep your baby or older child safe and comfortable. Evenflo’s EasyClick latch system makes it so easy to install and move it from one car to another. When it comes to car seats safety is a huge priority for me and this seat allows kids to be rear facing longer. The EveryStage car seat is well made, safe, and so easy to use. This is the only car seat you will ever need. To check out the Evenflo EveryStage car seat and get a promo code to save 10% you can visit http://pregnancypodcast.com/carseat/