- Lamaze education prepares women to gain confidence in their bodies and the ability to birth their babies. Lamaze recommends women take childbirth education classes to prepare for a natural birth and to learn about common interventions that can help or hinder the birth process. Have an idea what it takes to have a natural birth before attempting to learn breathing exercises.
- Lamaze developed six healthy birth practices: let labor begin on its own (no inducing unless medically necessary); walk and move around throughout labor, have someone provide you with continuous support through labor, avoid any unnecessary medical interventions (epidurals, Pitocin, etc.), try not to give birth on your back and listen to your body's urge to push, and keep mom and baby together for everyone's good and to help facilitate breastfeeding.
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The famous Lamaze pattern of breathing is just one component to having a healthy birth. Lamaze breathing helps a woman manage pain during labor and delivery. Patterned breathing forces oxygen into the blood, working to calm and relax the body. A relaxed body makes for easy labor. Tension and stress only work against the mother's efforts to push out the baby and might lead to the use of interventions. There are different types of breathing:
The cleansing breath is a slow inhalation through the nose and slow exhalation out of the mouth. The breath is used after a contraction.
Slow breathing helps you relax. Inhale to a count of 4 and exhale to a count of 4.
The blowing breath occurs when you inhale through your nose and softly blow out through your mouth, like you're blowing out a candle.
Patterned breathing is best used during contractions. Do two to four rapid exhales followed by one blow. - The best way to learn Lamaze techniques is by taking a class and having a certified instructor work with you one-on-one. Also look for Lamaze books and videos.
