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Lamaze Classes

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Lamaze Classes

Lamaze classes derive from the childbirth technique that has been around since the 1940s after its introduction to the medical world by the French obstetrician Dr Fernand Lamaze as an alternative way to give birth without medication.

Lamaze classes involve learning how to breathe and relax in specific ways during labour and childbirth as a calming way to give birth and the techniques demonstrated during classes are shown by qualified medical practitioners.

Techniques taught during these classes include how to work with labour in a natural way by breathing and relaxing and by getting into certain positions or using massage and aromatherapy as well as cold and hot packs to aid the process. An upright position is taken during the labour and birth and Lamaze classes also practice keeping mother and child together after the birth.

As a technique, Lamaze is all about being at one with nature and every woman’s natural ability to be a mother without hindering the natural experience of birth with the use of drugs. Lamaze believed that pain can be relieved by utilising the mind and controlling the intense pain can be done by simply overpowering the feeling with one’s body, mind and soul.

The ability to do this is taught throughout the world birth balls are also commonly introduced during Lamaze classes. These are the same as an exercise ball or a yoga ball and provide a base from which a mother can push up and out from to ease the pain tension during labour.