Isn’t Lamaze just about breathing?
To put it simply – not anymore. After many years of research and listening to mothers and fathers, we have learned that there is much more to childbirth than simply huffing and puffing through contractions, however, the breathing misconception still persists. The Lamaze method was initially founded on the principles of education to reduce fear and controlled breathing to promote relaxation and reduce pain. Those principles have withstood the test of time, and controlled breathing remains a very effective technique, but it is now just one of many strategies that can be utilized in labor to promote comfort and reduce pain. A large percentage of class time is spent learning and practicing many strategies, in addition to controlled breathing. (See What will I learn in a Childbirth Preparation Class?).
