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| Home > Preparation for Child Birth > Breathing techniques > Hyper-ventilation
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| | Hyper-ventilation
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 Hyperventilation is a condition in which the balance of oxy-gen and carbon dioxide in your blood is altered, causing a ting-ling sensation in your fingers, feet or around your mouth and a light-headed or dizzy feeling. You can avoid hyperventilation by practicing and adapting your breathing patterns. Hyperventilation is caused by improper breathing (either breathing too deeply, too fast or both), tension or a combination of the two. It is an uncomfortable condition and is rarely serious and can be prevented or corrected. If you have gained mastery over the relaxation and breathing techniques before labor begins, you will be less likely to hyper-ventilate during labor.
If hyperventilation does occur, it can be corrected by:
Re-breathing your own air, this increases carbon dioxide in-take, by breathing into cupped hands, a paper bag or a surgical mask.
Holding your breath after a contraction as long as possible, until you feel the need to take a breath. This also allows carbon dioxide levels in the blood to increase. Do not hold your breath during a contraction.
Relaxing and reducing tension. A shower. bath, massage, touch relaxation, or music may help here.
Shallow breathing or setting a slower breathing rate helps. Your partner can help by "breathing with you". He can set a rhythm with hand movement: If your partner is breathing along with you, he can also hyper-ventilate. He should use the above measures too, If necessary.
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