Lamazechildbirthmethodisthemethodwhichpreparesawomanforcopingwithstressfulbirthingprocess.Ithelpstofacechallengesoflabourandalsofacilitatesanormaldelivery.ToknowindetailaboutLamazechildbirthmethod,readon.Lamazeisachildbirthmethodthatconstitutesphysicalandpsychologicalpreparationsoastoenablethemothertosuppresslabourpainandfacilitateanormaldeliverywithouttheovertusageofdrugs.Themethodhasgainedimmensepopularitysinceitsinceptionandinrecenttimesasithasprovedtobeaneffectivewaytodealwiththestressrevolvingaroundtheculminationofpregnancy.ItisnamedafterDr.FernandLamazein1951inFrance.Initiallyitstartedoffasabreathingtechniquethatinducesrelaxationandrelievesstressbuttoday,Lamazeworksaroundabroaderphilosophythatenhancesthemother’sstaminaandcorestrength.InthisarticleTheSixCarePracticesinLamazeWhereDoesLamazeTakePlace?WhatisTaughtatTheLamazeClasses?LamazeBreathingTechniqueOtherToolsofLamazeTheSixCarePracticesinLamazeLetushavealookatthesixcarepracticesinLamazemethodofchildbirth.Letthelabourbeginbyitself.Letthewomanmovearoundfreelyevenaftersheentersthelabour,thatis,ifsheiscomfortableinmovingaround.Provideallthenecessarysupporttothewomanassoonassheenterslabour,itshouldbecontinuous.Theroutineinterventionsshouldbelimitedasmuchaspossibleduringtheperiodoflabourandbirth.Neverletthechildbirthhappenwiththemotheronherback.Afterdelivery,themothershouldnotbeseparatedfromherbabyorbabies.Theremustnotbeanyinterventionandmothershouldbreastfeedthenewborncontinuously.WhereDoesLamazeTakePlace?Typically,Lamazeclassesareheldataneducationalroominthenursinghomeorhospital,attheclinicofthedoctor,oratthebirthcentre.Womenenteringthelastphaseofpregnancyarerequiredtoattendtheclassesalongwiththeirpartners.Thisrendersapositivepsychologicalimpactonthemother-to-bewhoisabouttoenterthechallengeoflabour.WhatisTaughtatTheLamazeClasses?TheLamazeeducatorwilleducateyouandyourpartnerbymakingyouawareofthedetailsofchildbirthandthetechniquesthatyouarerequiredtofollowinordertohavearelaxedchildbirth.Youwillbeprovidedwithexamplesanddemonstrationswithmodels,oranyothermodeofexplanationregardingthenormaldeliveryandlabour.Thewomanistaughtthemostimportanttechniqueoffocusedbreathingalongwithseveralotherstressbustingtechniquesthataimatinducingrelaxation.Thepartnerisontheotherhandtaughtonhowhecanbehelpfulandoffersupportduringthelabourperiod.LamazeBreathingTechniqueThetechniquecommencesbyteachingonhowtotakeinadeep‘cleansing’breath.Thisisthenfollowedbyaseriesofvarioustypesofexhalationprocesses,whichinvolveslowbreathingandshortpuffingbreathing.Onehastointhemeanwhilerepeatcertainsoundslike“hee,hee,hoo”.Theobjectiveoftheentireprocedureistohelpthewomanconcentrateonherbreathingtechniquesbysolelyconcentratingonit.Ithelpstotakethemindawayfromthepainoflabour.OtherToolsofLamazeSeveralothertoolsarealsotaughtthathelpthewomantostayincontrolduringthestressfulbirthprocess.Theyareallcomfortingonesandinvolvemassages,repositioningofthebodythatbringsincomfortandhelpsthebabywithintocometothedesiredspotfordelivery.Thevariouswaysofmusclerelaxationarealsotaughtandhowtoapplyhotandcoldcompressessothattheabdomenandpelvicregionissoothed.TheuniquenessofLamazeliesinthefactthatthewomanistaughttoremainincontrolthroughoutthelabouranddeliveryprocess.OneneedstounderstandthatLamazeinnotagainstpainmedication,ifitisrequired.Theonlyobjectiveistohelpthewomanunderstandherbodyandwell.Sheshouldbeabletomake‘informedconsent’or‘informedrefusal’oftheproceduresthatareoffered.Sheistaughttobeawareofwhatherbodyactually‘needs’atacertainpoint.Ofcourse,thedoctorshouldtakethefinalcalldependingonthemedicalconditionofthewoman.
Lamaze childbirth method is the method which prepares a woman for coping with stressful birthing process. It helps to face challenges of labour and also facilitates a normal delivery. To know in detail about Lamaze childbirth method, read on. Lamaze is a childbirth method that constitutes physical and psychological preparation so as to enable the mother to suppress labour pain and facilitate a normal delivery without the overt usage of drugs. The method has gained immense popularity since its inception and in recent times as it has proved to be an effective way to deal with the stress revolving around the culmination of pregnancy.
It is named after Dr. Fernand Lamaze in 1951 in France. Initially it started off as a breathing technique that induces relaxation and relieves stress but today, Lamaze works around a broader philosophy that enhances the mother’s stamina and core strength.
The Six Care Practices in Lamaze
Let us have a look at the six care practices in Lamaze method of childbirth.
- Let the labour begin by itself.
- Let the woman move around freely even after she enters the labour, that is, if she is comfortable in moving around.
- Provide all the necessary support to the woman as soon as she enters labour, it should be continuous.
- The routine interventions should be limited as much as possible during the period of labour and birth.
- Never let the childbirth happen with the mother on her back.
After delivery, the mother should not be separated from her baby or babies. There must not be any intervention and mother should breastfeed the newborn continuously.
Where Does Lamaze Take Place?
Typically, Lamaze classes are held at an educational room in the nursing home or hospital, at the clinic of the doctor, or at the birth centre. Women entering the last phase of pregnancy are required to attend the classes along with their partners. This renders a positive psychological impact on the mother-to-be who is about to enter the challenge of labour.
What is Taught at The Lamaze Classes?
The Lamaze educator will educate you and your partner by making you aware of the details of childbirth and the techniques that you are required to follow in order to have a relaxed childbirth. You will be provided with examples and demonstrations with models, or any other mode of explanation regarding the normal delivery and labour. The woman is taught the most important technique of focused breathing along with several other stress busting techniques that aim at inducing relaxation. The partner is on the other hand taught on how he can be helpful and offer support during the labour period.
Lamaze Breathing Technique
The technique commences by teaching on how to take in a deep ‘cleansing’ breath. This is then followed by a series of various types of exhalation processes, which involve slow breathing and short puffing breathing. One has to in the meanwhile repeat certain sounds like “hee, hee, hoo”. The objective of the entire procedure is to help the woman concentrate on her breathing techniques by solely concentrating on it. It helps to take the mind away from the pain of labour.
Several other tools are also taught that help the woman to stay in control during the stressful birth process. They are all comforting ones and involve massages, repositioning of the body that brings in comfort and helps the baby within to come to the desired spot for delivery. The various ways of muscle relaxation are also taught and how to apply hot and cold compresses so that the abdomen and pelvic region is soothed.
The uniqueness of Lamaze lies in the fact that the woman is taught to remain in control throughout the labour and delivery process. One needs to understand that Lamaze in not against pain medication, if it is required. The only objective is to help the woman understand her body and well. She should be able to make ‘informed consent’ or ‘informed refusal’ of the procedures that are offered. She is taught to be aware of what her body actually ‘needs’ at a certain point. Of course, the doctor should take the final call depending on the medical condition of the woman.
