~ Prenatal / Childbirth Education to help you birth normally, more comfortably and with confidence ~

A Normal Birth for Every Woman - The Lamaze motto.

Exactly what IS normal birth?

This is the World Health Organization statement and standards:

• Labour begins on its own
• Mom has freedom of movement throughout labour and birth
• Mom has continuous labour support
• There are no routine interventions
• Upright or side-lying positions for birth
• There is no separation of mom and baby after birth.

“We believe that woman who are fully informed, confident, and supported will want normal birth. Lamaze International believes that caregivers should respect the birth process and not intervene without compelling medical indication.” So do I!

Myths About Lamaze Classes:

It’s all about the breathing.

Reality: The goal of Lamaze classes is to increase your confidence in your ability to give birth. Lamaze classes help you discover the inner wisdom you already have for giving birth. You will learn simple coping strategies for labour including focused breathing. But breathing techniques are just one of the many things that help women in labour. Movement, positioning, labour support, massage, relaxation, hydrotherapy and the use of heat and cold are some others.

Lamaze promises painless childbirth.

Reality: Many women are afraid of the pain that may accompany childbirth. The sensations you feel become your guide to responding to your labour. Responding to the sensations by changing positions and moving, by massaging, by moaning “the labour song” and relaxing actually strengthens the surges, helping baby to settle into the pelvis and move through the birth path. Some women find that experiencing and working with the sensations of labour and birth is similar to the hard work demanded by dancers and athletes. Lamaze classes help you understand the sensations of labour and birth and how to respond to them in ways that facilitate labour and increase comfort.

Lamaze childbirth means I can’t have an epidural.

Reality: Lamaze classes provide information about natural pain relief options as well as epidural anesthesia. Elimination sensations completely makes it difficult to respond to surges in ways that facilitate labour and birth. Women who had epidural anesthesia are required to have IV fluids and possibly, continuous electronic fetal monitoring. They may be encouraged to stay in bed and may need medication to increase the strength of their surges. The ability to use many of comfort techniques learned in class, such as changing positions, walking and hydrotherapy may be limited. Lamaze education will assist you in making personal decisions that are right for you.  There should never be suffering in childbirth.

Lamaze doesn’t work.

Reality: Lamaze that “works” has nothing to do with feeling pain, taking or avoiding medication, or developing special circumstances that necessitate medical interventions. Lamaze teaches you that nature designed birth simply and close to perfectly, and that you already know how to give birth.  Lamaze is working if women trust the natural process of birth, have confidence in her ability to give birth, have the freedom to work with their bodies as labour progresses and are supported by their health care providers, family and friends who wait patiently for nature to do its incredible work. Lamaze “works” if birth is allowed to work.

Lamaze is not for everyone.

Reality: Women have always prepared for the birth of their babies. Until recent times, women learned about birth from their own mothers and sisters. Birth took place at home with family rituals and traditions to help them feel confident in their ability to give birth. Women were surrounded by family and wise women who provided comfort and encouragement through labour and in the days and weeks following birth. Today, Lamaze childbirth classes provide the knowledge, skills and support that help women give birth with confidence and joy as they have done for centuries. Lamaze preparation is for everyone!

Founded on the six care practices that support normal birth, the Lamaze Institute for normal birth is an evidence-based resource for expectant and new parents as well as childbirth professionals. You will find credible, relevant and useful information here which you can use as you prepare for your baby’s arrival.

Get answers to your questions about evidence-based care on the Lamaze Normal Birth Forum, moderated by childbirth expert, Henci Goer author of The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth and Obstetric Myths and Realities.

What will I learn?

• Healthy lifestyles for pregnancy and postpartum period
• Normal labour, birth and early postpartum
• Positions to facilitate the normal process of birthing
• Massage techniques to ease labour and enhance relaxation
• Comfort measures, such as hydrotherapy, the use of heat, cold and pressure
• Relaxation skills to use during labour and after pregnancy to reduce stress
• Labour support advice for the partner and doula
• Special circumstances
• Communication skills for mom and dad and with members of the health care team
• Informed decision making about medications, epidurals and other medical procedures based on current research and best practice guidelines
• Breast feeding, your newborn and postpartum adjustment

Skills for life, not just birthing!

What is included?

• 6 - 2½ hour classes
• a book,
• CD,
• numerous handouts,
• a CDH tour
• I provide ongoing support.

There is plenty of time to practice skills and comfort measures as well as time for class discussions.

What’s the price?

• $380 A discount is given depending on the number enrolled for a group class.

As I am Registered Nurse the fees are a medical deduction on you income tax.

Scholarships and a payment plan are available.

When are the classes?

Thursday evenings 7 - 9:30 p.m. 

March 20^{th to April 24th}

^{May 29th to July 3rd}

Individual classes can be arranged to work with your schedule / needs.

Where are they held?

Classes are in my home which is 10 minutes west of Duncan. I can do a group or individual classes in your nonsmoking home too.

Please register early.

I look forward to talking with you - call me, or e-mail now.

Mary Hebden (250) 748-8493

Lamaze has changed since your mother birthed you!

Kiarra, a first baby, arrived after 3 hours of labour. She has just turned 2 in August 2006 and became a big sister to Savannah who arrived on her expected birth date after 4 hours of labour! Her mom chose midwifery care for both pregnancies.