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Subject: Information about Lamaze philosophy and technique

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Archived User
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10/22/2005 3:02 PM Quote Reply
Hi. I am looking for certification to be a birth educator and Lamaze was one program that was suggested to me. I was curious about what Lamaze today is all about. I only recall woman a half a generation older than me taking Lamaze classes. They learned the stereotypical breathing "HaHa..HeeHee" method and always claimed that the techniques were not helpful. Looking at the required reading, however, I wondered if Lamaze has changed over the years? Could you help me with this?
Nancy Lennon By: Nancy
Archived User
Posts:0
10/30/2005 9:41 AM Quote Reply
Oh my yes, Lamaze has had major changes over the years, starting with abandoning rigid emphasis on breathing patterns for a more flexible approach 20 yrs ago. (Don't shortchange attention to breathing rhythms as a useful technique, though, even if you didn't find it helpful. Lamaze breathing comes from yogic concepts. Attention to breathing remains a useful strategy for calming and centering oneself for many women.)

I suggest you cruise around this site, that is, the Lamaze Normal Birth website, because promoting normal birth is the heart and core of the Lamaze mission. In addition, you can find out more about Lamaze's philosophy here. You can find out about myths about Lamaze here. And you can read Lamaze's position statement on birth here.

And if I may interject my personal opinion, I really appreciated my Lamaze certification program because I felt I was truly preparing to become a professional in the field of childbirth education, as opposed as buying into a kind of franchise operation where I was expected to teach certain content in a certain way. This can be a problem with some certification programs. I can also tell you from attending Lamaze conferences over the years, that you could not choose to join a group of more passionate, committed, wonderful women.

My advice is to cruise around this website and the regular Lamaze site at
www.lamaze.org. Do the same for the other childbirth ed programs and see which one appeals. I predict you'll know which one feels like "home."

-- Henci By: Henci Goer
smithly123 (guest)
02/19/2008 7:30 PM Quote Reply

Hello,

I am a first time mother, and I am currently in my second trimester of my pregnancy and I was thinking of signing up for lamaze classes. I just wanted to know should I wait until my third trimester to sign up; or when do women normally sign up for these classes?
Henci Goer
Posts:0
02/23/2008 10:00 AM Quote Reply

I would start looking for classes now. It isn't just the method, it's also the specific teacher. Some are better than others; some are a better fit in personality and teaching style for you and your partner. Classes can fill up, and you want your pick. You can find information on what to look for in a class on the webpage "Choosing a Childbirth Education Class" elsewhere on the Lamaze website. The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth with Confidence also has information on choosing a birth class as well as a wealth of other information that you will find valuable.

-- Henci 
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