CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION

Childbirth Education

Childbirth Education

The Lamaze method, one of the more popular methods of childbirth preparation, was introduced by Fernand Lamaze in the 1950s as an attempt to lessen pain-increasing tension and anxiety of childbirth. Lamaze emphasized education about the stages of labour and delivery (to reduce tension generated by fear based on ignorance of the process) and taught physical and psychological methods for relaxing the voluntary muscles during labour. Applying Pavlov's theory of conditioned reflexes, Lamaze taught the use of distraction techniques to decrease women's perceptions of discomfort during labour contractions. These techniques include deep and shallow breathing, rhythmic light abdominal ...