A Look into Lamaze
When you think of Lamaze, you may picture a class you attended as an expectant mom or as a support person. It may also bring to mind one of the many TV shows where Lamaze classes were the source of situational comedy. But, did you know that before Lamaze, most women were heavily drugged and asleep during labor?
So much has changed since it was introduced in the 1960s! Lamaze is now a household name and at Riverside Life Services, it’s our most popular class!
What is Lamaze?
Lamaze is a birthing technique that teaches pregnant women and their labor support person certain breathing patterns and methods to best assist them throughout labor. Lamaze is a natural method to address dealing with labor pain without heavy medication and unnecessary medical intervention.
When does an expectant mother take a Lamaze class?
An expectant mother takes a Lamaze class in her third trimester, around 28-32 weeks. This gives her enough time to learn and practice the technique before baby comes!
Left: Dr. Lamaze holding baby next to nurse. Right: Dr. Lamaze
Where did Lamaze originate?
In 1951, French obstetrician Fernand Lamaze took a trip to the Soviet Union as a part of a medical delegation to observe Soviet health practices. While there, he observed psychotherapist, I.Z. Velvovskii, use a practice of breathing patterns and techniques to lessen the perceived pain during labor of expectant mothers without drugs. He took it back to France and the method became popular, being named after him, and eventually making its way to the U.S.
(Sources: National Endowment for the Humanities, Lamaze International)
Why did Lamaze become popular?
In the middle of the 20th century, women usually gave birth in hospitals and were heavily medicated, sometimes sedated or even unconscious during birth. Laboring women were even restrained to prevent thrashing because their bodies still felt the pain and responded automatically. This practice led to more medical interventions because the women were not able to push or communicate. The babies also absorbed the drugs through the placenta and were often born too lethargic to breathe, needing resuscitation.
A woman in the U.S. named Marjorie Karmel was assisted by Dr. Lamaze in birth and she was so thankful for his method that she wrote a book about it. The book was titled Thank You, Dr. Lamaze, and according to Lamaze International, it encouraged women to make the birth experience a shared experience between moms and dads. With the norm of being sedated, being aware and very connected with the birthing experience was a far better option for the growing number of women wanting to give birth in a more present way.
How do women take Lamaze classes?
A variety of organizations and health care providers often provide a Lamaze class, or include the method in childbirth classes. At Riverside Life Services, the Lamaze class is offered once a month in both English and Spanish. (You can sign up for the class HERE.)
Who teaches Lamaze?
Riverside Life Services' Lamaze class is taught by Registered Nurse, Karen Thomas. Karen has volunteered at RLS for six years and has taught the Lamaze class for a year and a half.
A Look Into Riverside Life Services Lamaze Class
Moms bring their labor support person along so they can learn the Lamaze technique together. In the first part of the class they are taught the "Six Healthy Birth Practices" of Lamaze, which teach them the best positions and practices for labor, as well as what to avoid.
In the next part of the class, moms and their labor support person learn breathing teachnigues—the most familiar part of Lamaze. The breathing is practiced by the moms and the support person practices methods like rubbing the temples to keep the laboring mom relaxed.
Through breathing exercises, relaxation skills and the loving support of those in the room, it is our goal to make the experience a sweet and peaceful one.
After the class, the moms visit our boutique where they get to choose anything from cute outfits to board books to tiny shoes for their babies. They also receive diapers and other necessities from Riverside Life Services.
All of these blessings to our moms, dads, and babies, including this class, are offered free of charge to those who need it because of YOUR support for which we are so grateful!
Ways to give:
Mail a check payable to Riverside Life Services at:
3727 McCray Street, Riverside, CA 92506Venmo: @Rivlifeservices
or give instantly through our secure online portal
