Are Birthing Classes Called Lamaze?
Pregnant mothers have a lot of questions about childbirth: How do I know when labor starts? How long do labor and delivery last? How will I manage the pain? Can my partner help me? What happens after the baby is born? Birthing classes, including the popular Lamaze method, have been a staple of first-time mothers' pregnancies since the 1960s. There are several other approaches to childbirth preparation, such as the Bradley method and HypnoBirthing, but they all teach women strategies to cope with the normal process of childbirth and help them adjust to becoming a parent.
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Significance
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Since the 1960s, expectant mothers and their partners have participated in classes to learn more about pregnancy and to prepare themselves for childbirth. The most common type of birthing class is called Lamaze, named after French doctor Fernand Lamaze who believed that women should be empowered to give birth with as little restriction and medical intervention as possible. The Bradley method, or "husband-coached childbirth," is another popular birthing education model with an emphasis on intervention-free childbirth. Popularity of childbirth classes peaked in the 1980s and has been dropping quickly in recent years as more women are opting for Caesarean sections and analgesics. The nonprofit organization Childbirth Connection reports that in 2000, 70 percent of first-time mothers attended a childbirth class, compared to 56 percent of first-time mothers in 2005.
Types
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Pregnant women can choose from a variety of childbirth classes, including classes taught by hospital or medical center staff that incorporate several philosophies. The Lamaze philosophy of care encourages birthing women to allow labor to progress naturally, to have freedom of movement, to have support from a partner or coach throughout labor and delivery, and to have unlimited opportunity to breastfeed the baby after birth. Lamaze teaches relaxation and breathing techniques and also provides information about medical pain management. The Bradley method focuses on natural, drug-free childbirth with an emphasis on relaxation exercises, nutrition and the active participation of a coach. Other types of birthing classes, like HypnoBirthing, use yoga and self-hypnosis techniques for relaxation.
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Features
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There are many types of birthing classes, so how do you choose? Ask your health care provider or the place where you plan to give birth, as well as friends who have recently had babies. Check out the course curriculum to make sure it covers a range of topics, including warning signs of medical problems, necessary medical intervention, C-sections, pain-relief options and how to adjust to post-partum life. Find out what philosophy the course is based on and make sure you're comfortable with it. Does the class encourage participants to create a birth plan? Are partners or coaches welcome? How often does the class meet and is it convenient and affordable?
Benefits
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Knowing what to expect during labor and delivery can reduce anxiety and make the pain more manageable. Prepared childbirth classes teach you what is normal and help you identify when something might be wrong. Involving a husband or partner in the birth can help the whole family cope with the birth experience. Giving birth is a life-changing experience and childbirth classes can help prepare you for your new role as mother. People often develop lasting friendships with other parents-to-be in their childbirth classes.
Considerations
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Birthing classes can provide confidence and techniques to make a normal birth go as smoothly and positively as possible. But unexpected outcomes can happen to anyone. One in 200 births is stillborn (death of a fetus older than 20 weeks) and 12 percent of births require admission to a neonatal intensive care unit. Whether or not you have a written birth plan, be prepared to change course if medical emergencies arise.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by Bianca de Blok
