You have certainly already heard of it. The Gasquet method or the posturrespiratory approach (PRA) is a preparation for childbirth that is at the crossroads of physiotherapy, osteopathy, and obstetrics. It was set up by Dr. Bernadette De Gasquet, a specialist in pre and postpartum birth.
Our breathing changes according to the position we adopt. It is one of the key elements of childbirth. To see the light of day, the future baby must pass through straits (sometimes at 90 ° to each other), and it seems that the fact of moving promotes the descent of the baby. Thus, “the position lying on your back, feet in the stirrups” is not necessarily the most suitable for giving birth to your little one.
The APR method is the result of these two observations and was developed, so that expectant mothers learn to know themselves better, to breathe better, to apprehend pain by adapting their breathing and their position, and especially to listen to their body.
What is Gasquet’s method?
In small groups, mothers-to-be will perform bodily exercises revolving around breathing. This work carried out based on massages, stretching, suspensions, and games with various accessories (balls or rubber cakes …) allows us to understand the origin of the pains of sciatica, childbirth, and appropriate solutions practice.
During the sessions, you will also discover the different physiological positions suitable for childbirth. You will familiarize yourself with these and adopt the one that suits you best. The sessions begin in the last trimester of pregnancy.
And who is it for?
This method is for all expectant mothers. She also encourages future dads to participate in helping prepare for the baby’s arrival. It is recommended for people with back problems but also for young mothers to recover (D + 1 after childbirth). Several maternity hospitals have been trained in APR and offer it to expectant mothers.
It is advisable to find out about the preparation provided by the maternity unit in which you wish to give birth. Indeed, this will allow you to know the techniques of childbirth. that is practiced there. If the maternity hospital you have chosen does not practice PRA, you can still prepare yourself with this method by finding out how to best adapt your breathing to the classic birthing position. If you want to meet professionals practicing this method, you can go to Bernadette De Gasquet’s website.