I've been wanting to organize my thoughts on the AMAZING organization that is Lamaze International for a while now.
Nothing like outside inspiration to get my fingers in gear. :)
I'm proud to be participating in a website database of all birth providers in the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand area.
www.MyrtleBeachBirthServices.com
I will be linking articles from there to this blog, I'm sure. It is a strong and educated group of women.
But, on we go...
LAMAZE OF TODAY
by Amanda Hynes, CD(DONA), LCCE
HEE HEE HEE…
HOO HOO HOO….
That
is what typically comes to mind when you say the word “Lamaze”.
“That
thing with the breathing”
When I first began educating myself about childbirth, I was wary about the Lamaze
philosophy, because I had heard they promoted this crazy
breathing that had been proven to be detrimental. Like many people, I immediately
linked this antiquated patterned breathing with the organization. Happily, with
only a cursory amount of further investigation, I learned that *hee hee hoo
hoo* has long been left in the past. Since it’s beginning in 1960, Lamaze
International has evolved into a globally respected community of birth
advocates and educators.
This isn’t your mama’s Lamaze!
The
moment I began evaluating my options for formal training as a childbirth
educator, Lamaze International stood head and shoulders above the rest. Why?
To
put it simply…science, and a trust in the innate instincts and power of women in
childbirth.
Today,
the Lamaze Philosophy, along with every practice supported by the organization,
comes from current evidence. Lamaze teamed up with The Cochrane Collaboration,
which prepares and publishes the largest collection of randomized controlled
trials in the world in the interest of putting the evidence in the hands of
medical professionals, educators, and families (www.cochrane.org). Lamaze members have
access to the Cochrane Library in order to develop their curriculum based on scientifically
supported practices.
In
order to make these (at times, complicated) studies more readily available to
the public, Lamaze International created a blog called Science and Sensibility
(www.scienceandsensibility.com)
to relay the information in easy-to-read terminology, and help families educate
themselves about the benefits and risks of the medications, procedures and
interventions that are typically imposed during the birthing experience.
The
people at Lamaze looked at the evidence, made the smart decision that the whole
*hee hee hoo hoo* thing wasn’t working for women and babies, and began to put
their time and resources towards honestly evaluating all birth practices.
That
kind of mindful evolution is something I can get behind.
Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
(LCCE)
When
you see the LCCE credential, you know that your educator has completed a
rigorous evaluation and education process, and has international support and
the most current evidence on birth practices. Lamaze certification is the only
childbirth educator program designed to meet the highest professional standards
of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Lamaze of Today
Today,
the Lamaze Philosophy revolves around Six Healthy Birth Practices which are a common sense approach to birthing that every pregnant woman can
easily use to their advantage. In my experience, the truest things in life are
usually the most simple. Each of the practices have resonated with my soul
since the moment I pushed my son out into the world, and they are supported by
science.
Lamaze Fundamentals
The
goal of Lamaze is to demystify the birth experience and empower women to have
confidence in their innate ability to give birth. Birth is normal, natural and
healthy. There are many ways to manage the challenges associated with birth,
including pain. Understanding how your body works and what you can do to benefit
yourself and your baby during the childbirth process can help alleviate fears
and manage pain. Each woman and each birth is different. There is no
one-size-fits-all solution. Even when complications or medical necessity
occurs, knowledge of the benefits and risks of medications and interventions
are critical in order for them to be applied judiciously and appropriately.
Birth Satisfaction
Lamaze
can help you achieve the safest and healthiest birth experience to facilitate
high levels of lifelong birth satisfaction. Birth satisfaction is not a luxury.
It is important. Women with high levels of birth satisfaction bond better with
their babies, breastfeed more successfully and are less likely to view caring
for their babies as difficult and challenging. The first steps to high levels
of birth satisfaction are education, empowerment, and an active role in the
decision making. The experience of childbirth has a profound affect on women,
babies, and families. The decisions (or non-decisions) during pregnancy will
have significant, resonating effects.
Education
Choosing
a childbirth educator, doula, midwife or OB is
a great responsibility, and much of the decision comes not from books, but from
the gut. You must be able to trust that your chosen birthing team has your best
interests at heart and the tools to support you. It is much like choosing a
psychologist. You must be comfortable with these people if you are to bare your
soul. If there is no chemistry, birth will be hindered. Optimal results cannot
be achieved if there is lingering fear or distrust.
Sometimes
you can’t explain it, but this is the first lesson in parenting, trust your
instincts. When you have a gut feeling that there is something wrong with your
infant, you must be your baby’s advocate. When you have an instinct that
they are fine, you must protect them from that which could make them un-fine. The families of Myrtle
Beach, the Grand Strand, and extended coastal Carolina areas are lucky to have this amazing,
ever-evolving, ever-expanding group of childbirth professionals at their
service. A good educator and a good doula will refer you to two others of their
own profession to ensure that you are completely empowered in your decision and
you have every option at your disposal to decide what is right for you and your
family. Take the time to have conversations with several educators, doulas,
midwives and OBs. You have options. Empower yourself to have the birth
experience of your dreams.
