Question

Breathing patterns are taught to laboring women. Which breathing pattern should the nurse support for the woman and her coach during the latent phase of the first stage of labor if the couple has attended childbirth preparation classes?

1) Slow-paced breathing
2) Deep abdominal breathing
3) Modified-paced breathing
4) Patterned-paced breathing

Answer 1

During the latent phase of the first stage of labor, it is recommended to support patterned-paced breathing for the laboring woman and her coach.

Step-by-step explanation:

In childbirth preparation classes, the nurse would support patterned-paced breathing during the latent phase of the first stage of labor for the laboring woman and her coach. Patterned-paced breathing involves a specific pattern of breathing in which the woman takes a deep breath in and then exhales two short, shallow breaths. This helps to regulate breathing and conserve energy during contractions.

Patterned-paced breathing is effective during the latent phase of labor because contractions in this phase are typically milder and further apart. Slow-paced breathing and deep abdominal breathing are more suitable for early labor when contractions are generally mild and farther apart. Modified-paced breathing is used in active labor when contractions become more intense and frequent.