The Lamaze Classes at the CK Birla Hospital
The CK Birla Hospital is one of the first hospitals in India to offer Lamaze classes in addition to our world-class aid in obstetric healthcare. To sign up for a session, or to talk to a professional about Lamaze, contact us at your soonest convenience.
What is The Lamaze Method?
Childbirth has long been known as one of the most painful experiences a woman might go through during the course of her life. Over the years, researchers, pharmacologists, and doctors have continually searched for ways to ease this process.
In the 1940s, Soviet scientists attempted to develop a new, painless, non-pharmacological method of childbirth called the psychoprophylactic method (PPM). The method was anchored in training the mind of a pregnant woman to resist bodily pain during labour.
PPM was adapted and popularised by Dr. Fernand Lamaze, a French obstetrician, in the 1960s. Subsequently, the method came to be known as the Lamaze Method. The Lamaze Method, although no longer exactly the same as the Soviets’ PPM, is now widely recognized as a tried and tested way to help pregnant women handle and cope with their pain during natural childbirth without using pharmacological drugs.
So how does it work?
Lamaze today is based largely in simplifying the birthing process by teaching expecting mothers and their partners pain management tactics and educating them about what to expect during pregnancy and birth. Classes are taught by a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE), and typically range between one to three-hour sessions over the course of six to eight weeks.
Breathing exercises are a large component of Lamaze classes. The active concentration required to engage in these rhythmic breathing while in labour has been found to promote relaxation during childbirth. The breathing techniques also allow mothers to distract themselves from their contractions and thus alleviate some of their pain.
Other Lamaze class topics include, but are not restricted to induction of labour, when to go to the hospital, positions for birth and labour, pain medication options, massage techniques, and use of common tools to make labour more comfortable such as the birth ball, squat bars, and pillows.
The Lamaze Method also promotes “Six Healthy Birth Practices”, a system of guidelines that are designed to facilitate a safe and healthy birthing process. These are:
- Let labor begin on its own
- Walk, move around and change positions throughout labor
- Bring a loved one, friend or doula for continuous support
- Avoid interventions that are not medically necessary
- Avoid giving birth on your back and follow your body’s urges to push
- Keep the mother and baby together – it’s best for mother, baby, and breastfeeding
The Lamaze teacher encourages students to discuss all medical interventions with their caregivers so that they can make well informed decisions during labour.
Should I take Lamaze classes?
Absolutely.
Lamaze classes help build an expecting mother’s confidence, readiness, and strength. They help individuals, both mothers and their partners, be more in control of the process of childbirth.
No amount of classes and research can completely ready a person for the beautiful and tumultuous journey of parenthood. Yet, to know what to expect during childbirth and be prepared with pain management techniques allows you to stay out of the dark during the emotional, and often scary experience of giving birth.
If you are expecting, contact us to speak about Lamaze classes at the CK Birla Hospital now!
Consultant- Obstetrics and Gynecology
