 Lamaze method teaches women to cope with pain during labor
Added: 02/21/2006 |
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Lamaze method has been used in the USA since 1950s. Now it is very popular. But it has transformed a lot due to the contribution of the method's educators. Now the method includes more than just the breathing techniques. Lamaze benefits are significant because the woman is taught a lot of useful information about the labor and childbirth. Lamaze classes also provide women's partners with useful skills.
Lamaze method of childbirth was developed by Ferdinand Lamaze, a French obstetrician. The method has been used in the USA since 1950s. It still remains one of the most popular classes on childbirth. At first the method was focused on the use of certain breathing techniques helping to cope with the labor. Now the method has expanded a lot thanks to the Lamaze educators.
The courses of Lamaze method are aimed at increasing the woman's confidence in her ability to give birth. This is the main aim of Lamaze method. At the end of the courses women usually are taught different simple strategies. Breathing techniques are among them as well. At the courses women are taught how to cope with pain, facilitate the labor and increase the comfort.
While giving Lamaze method description, it is necessary to give a brief gist of the philosophy of the method. It tells that birth should be taken as healthy, natural and normal. It also presupposes that the woman has the right to give birth without all the medical interventions that are so common today. But Lamaze method is not that against medications that relieve pain. The woman should get all the necessary tools and information about childbirth as well as to give the consent about different medical interventions and medications.
Traditionally Lamaze course takes 12 hours. The group usually contains not more than 12 couples. The class covers a number of points. Here are some of them.
During the classes the couples are shown videos of birth-giving. Their aim is to represent normal labor and birth as well the early postpartum period. The classes teach to be informed and active participants during the labor. The couples also practice some breathing techniques. They are also taught some other natural strategies and relaxation techniques that help to cope with the pain during the labor. The techniques include hydrotherapy, position changes, walking and massage. It is not accidental that women are recommended to visit the classes with their partners because the classes teach the partners to be supportive and encouraging during the labor.
Both the mom-to-be and her partner are taught to value one-on-one support during the labor. The educators tell women how to communicate with their caregivers so that their needs were met. At the courses the women get information about potential complications that can arise during the childbirth and about the interventions that may be necessary. The women also learn about epidurals and other methods to manage the pain with the help of medications. Women are taught how to interact with their babies at the early stages. They are also given several tips on breastfeeding. So, Lamaze benefits are numerous.
It is quite possible to have private classes of Lamaze method. In this case the educator's attention will be only on the woman and her partner. The educator will be able to exercise individual approach to teaching the couple. It helps to make the classes oriented on this particular mom-to-be and her partner.
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