Lamaze teaches natural childbirth coping techniques, including comfort measures, relaxation, and breathing.
Patterned breathing used to be the hallmark of Lamaze.
Today, the method incorporates conscious breathing and relaxation, among other principles.
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Lamaze childbirth preparation classes are taught by independent childbirth educators certified through Lamaze International.
The certification is a three-step process that includes self-study, attendance at a seminar, and an exam.
The classes generally last around eight weeks but can be slightly longer or shorter.
Attendees also learn about the process of labor and birth, interventions and medication, and the postpartum period.
The Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices have replaced the well-known breathing technique as the foundation of its education.
Current Lamaze classes teach slow, deep breathing without prescriptive patterns.
Using testimonies of people who had used the techniques, Lamaze popularized the method around the world.
Lamaze’s curriculum is rooted in evidence-based maternity care practices.
Facilitating normal, physiological birth is the foundation of Lamazes Healthy Birth Practices.
However, Lamaze is not only for people who want an unmedicated birth.
Medicated vs. Unmedicated
Some childbirth education methods are geared more toward people who want to avoid a medicated birth.
For example, the Bradley method is information-heavy on the risks of medication and intervention.
It fosters unmedicated birth as the goal for its participants.
Coping Techniques
Lamaze relies on a variety of relaxation techniques, controlled breathing, and other comfort measures.
Some childbirth preparation courses, on the other hand, promote unconventional techniques for coping in labor.
For example, hypnobirthing, which uses self-hypnosis, is one such alternative technique.
Time Commitment
Lamaze classes last about eight weeks, while the Bradley method course takes 12 weeks to complete.
If you hope to have an unmedicated and intervention-free labor, Lamaze might be a good option for you.
Talk to your doctor and other people whom you trust about the options for childbirth preparation classes.
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