PRESS CONTACT: Kara Dress, 202-367-2434, marketing@lamaze.org
ALL OTHER INQUIRIES: 800-368-4404; info@lamaze.org

WASHINGTON (March 14, 2008)—Lamaze^® International, in conjunction with Rodale Custom Publishing, has launched a new online version of Lamaze: Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond, the Lamaze magazine for expectant families. The new Web site, located at www.lamaze.org/magazine, is available in English and Spanish, and provides online tools and expanded educational resources for women and their families.  

Lamaze: Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond is written exclusively by health care professionals to help expectant parents build confidence for a normal and healthy pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. The online component of the magazine includes an entire digital magazine format and features supplemental articles not included in the print version. The user-friendly Web site is organized into three sections—pregnancy, birth and parenting—to help users find information quickly and easily. Articles are available in a printer-friendly format and can be e-mailed to a friend through the site. Users also can search for topics via the site’s search engine.

The new site is a helpful teaching resource for childbirth educators who may not have access to the print version of Lamaze: Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond, especially those located outside of the United States. Educators can access the magazine’s Web site instantly to locate and print resources to use in classes or to give out as take-home materials for students.

“The online component takes the Lamaze magazine to a new level of accessibility,” said Lamaze International President Allison J. Walsh, IBCLC, LCCE, FACCE. “I am thrilled that we have added functionality, so our international educators will be able to bring this incredible resource to their students.”

Current tools available on the site include: a Lamaze Class Locator, which helps expectant parents find a Lamaze class in their area; the Lamaze Normal Birth Forum, a Web board for expectant parents to post questions about pregnancy, birth and parenting; and the Share a Birth Story submission form, where women can submit their birth story to be considered for publication.  

Later this year, the Lamaze magazine Web site will also offer a subscription to Lamaze…Building Confidence Week by Week, a new weekly pregnancy e-newsletter that provides parents with tips for a healthy pregnancy and birth, and information on mother and baby’s weekly development during pregnancy.

The publication of Lamaze: Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond and the companion Web site was made possible by corporate partnerships with Huggies (as presenting partner), Boppy, Learning Curve and Medela. Companies interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact Lauren Loomis at laurenloomis@avmpublishing.com or at 847-835-9442. 

Childbirth educators located in the United States who are interested in receiving free printed copies of Lamaze: Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond for their classes should visit http://lamazepublications.com/ or call 877-527-1977 to register.

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About Lamaze International
Since its founding in 1960, Lamaze International has worked to promote, support and protect normal birth through education and advocacy through the dedicated efforts of professional childbirth educators, health care providers and parents. An international organization with regional, state and area networks, its members and volunteer leaders include childbirth educators, nurses, midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, physicians, students, parents and consumers. For more information about Lamaze International and the Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth, visit www.lamaze.org. 

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