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Lamaze Wikipedia

The Lamaze Technique is a natural childbirth technique developed in the 1940s by France|French obstetrician Dr. Fernand Lamaze as an alternative to the use of medical intervention during childbirth|labor. Dr. Lamaze was influenced by Soviet Union|Soviet childbirth practices, which involved breathing and relaxation techniques under the supervision of a "monitrice" or midwife. The Lamaze method gained popularity in the United States after Marjorie Karmel wrote about her experiences in her 1959 book Thank You, Dr. Lamaze.

Modern Lamaze childbirth classes teach pregnancy|expectant mothers breathing techniques and often other ways to work with the labor process to reduce the pain often associated with childbirth, such as heat pack|hot and cold packs, changing positions, the use of a "birthing ball" to remain in an upright position, and orgasm to induce or hasten labor.

Last Modified:   2006-10-01