What tool may be provided to the mother during the active phase of labor to help with hyperventilation?

• A. A water bottle
• B. A paper bag
• C. An oxygen mask
• D. A stress ball

Answer: (B)

During the active phase of labor, women may experience hyperventilation due to pain, anxiety, or the intensity of contractions. A paper bag can be effectively used to help the mother manage hyperventilation. This technique works by allowing the woman to breathe in the carbon dioxide that she exhaled, which can help to restore balance in the blood gases and calm her breathing pattern.

This approach is often recommended when a woman is hyperventilating because it encourages a steady, controlled breathing pattern, preventing feelings of lightheadedness or dizziness often associated with hyperventilation. While other tools might have their own benefits in different contexts, a paper bag specifically targets the issue of hyperventilation by addressing the immediate respiratory imbalance.