What exactly is Lamaze?
French obstetrician, Fernand Lamaze, developed the “Lamaze” method of childbirth in the 1950s. It was a method of pain relief based on education, classical conditioning, relaxation and the use of controlled breathing techniques. The Lamaze method grew in popularity in the 1960s, when women desired births that used less or no medication and they wanted the father present during labor and birth. These new demands required that both the mother and the father learn what to expect during childbirth and what they could do to manage the pain. As a result, Lamaze classes began. Most hospitals responded by requiring that fathers attend these classes in order to be present during childbirth. Because medicated births were the norm at the time, births that did not use medications became known as “natural” births. By empowering women to choose the type of birth they wanted and by encouraging fathers to be involved in the birth experience, early Lamaze classes helped change the face of the typical hospital birth.
Childbirth preparation classes today still incorporate the foundations of the Lamaze method, but Lamaze is now considered more of a philosophy of birth than an actual method. The Lamaze philosophy maintains that birth is a normal, natural, healthy life event and that women possess an inner wisdom that guides them through birth. It also maintains that childbirth preparation classes not only need to educate by providing information, but to also instill confidence in women and empower them to make informed decisions.
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Isn’t Lamaze just about breathing?
To put it simply – not anymore. After many years of research and listening to mothers and fathers, we have learned that there is much more to childbirth than simply huffing and puffing through contractions, however, the breathing misconception still persists. The Lamaze method was initially founded on the principles of education to reduce fear and controlled breathing to promote relaxation and reduce pain. Those principles have withstood the test of time, and controlled breathing remains a very effective technique, but it is now just one of many strategies that can be utilized in labor to promote comfort and reduce pain. A large percentage of class time is spent learning and practicing many strategies, in addition to controlled breathing. (See What will I learn in a Childbirth Preparation Class?).
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What will I learn in a Childbirth Preparation Class?
Our childbirth classes provide information and/or practice of techniques on the following topics:
- Normal labor and birth process
- The father’s or support person’s role in encouraging, responding to, and assisting the mother by utilizing the various comfort measures and pain relief strategies
- Strategies and techniques that release tension and promote labor progress
- Non-pharmaceutical comfort measures and pain relief strategies: massage, movement, position changes, slow dancing, relaxation techniques, application of heat/cold, hydrotherapy, birth ball usage, controlled breathing, visualization, aroma therapy, music, and continuous labor support
- Pharmaceutical pain relief options: tranquilizers, sedatives, narcotics, and epidural anesthesia
Variations from the normal process and interventions that may be used, such as: posterior fetal position, fetal monitoring, induction of labor and cesarean birth
- Current, evidence based, risk/benefit information to help you make informed decisions
The recovery process, the initial postpartum period, and what the newborn is like at birth
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I’m already planning on having epidural anesthesia – why would I need classes?
Epidural anesthesia is just one of many pain relief options, and although pain relief discussion and practice takes up a good part of class time, childbirth preparation encompasses much more than just the physical aspect of pain. (See What will I learn in a Childbirth Education Class?). In total, a childbirth preparation class helps you prepare mentally, physically and emotionally for what is a very physical, emotion-filled life change. It makes sense to gather as much information and prepare for birth much the same way you would prepare for any other very physical event, such as a marathon, or a life-changing event such as marriage. In addition, there may be circumstances that require you to wait before receiving an epidural, and the techniques and strategies learned in class will help you manage the pain until the epidural can be placed. You will also learn about the procedure itself as well as the medical interventions that go hand-in-hand with receiving an epidural. Learning about the procedure and interventions should help to decrease the typical “fear of the unknown.” Because there is an element of risk associated with most procedures, strategies are discussed on how to keep labor as normal as possible both before and during the epidural procedure. There may also be instances when an epidural is not advised and you may benefit from being made aware of other options. On a different note, couples have also reported that the classes helped them enhance their relationship and communication with each other, as they prepared together for this important, exhilarating, life-changing event.
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My goal is to avoid medication and epidural anesthesia – is that possible?
Our classes present birth as a normal, natural, healthy event. The classes provide information to help you increase your confidence in your body’s ability to give birth and help you trust your own inner wisdom. Women have been having babies since the beginning of time, but in our current high-tech culture, it is easy to doubt our own abilities. Women intuitively know how to give birth. Our classes help you learn how to tap into that intuition and let the birth process happen. Avoiding medication in childbirth requires the following: confidence in the process of birth and in your own abilities, continuous emotional and physical labor support, learning to respond to your contractions by first practicing and then putting into use the many non-pharmaceutical comfort measures and pain relief techniques available, the ability to view birth as an active, rather than passive, process, and the willingness to work hard to achieve your desired goal. While medication and anesthesia does occasionally have its place should complications arise, avoiding medication in the course of a normal labor and birth remains a much-respected and achievable goal for many women. Your childbirth educator will work with you to provide as much information as possible to help you prepare to achieve the type of birth experience you hope for.
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