Lamaze Childbirth Workshops

How often do you say to yourself “if only I knew then what I know now”? Well, we’ve been there and now we’re on a mission to educate, inform, inspire, and support you through this wonderful journey into parenthood   

The true value of an independent childbirth class is less known. Some of your friends might say that the prenatal classes they attended were a waste of time. Well we’re sure they didn’t take our lamaze classes. Our sessions are dynamic, interactive and full of useful information and skills for you to use.

• You’re nervous & anxious about your upcoming birth experience
• You’re excited about birth and want to give your baby the best possible start
• You want to avoid a lot of unnecessary interventions that are common these days (and reduce your chance of a C-section)
• You and your partner want to feel prepared as you head into the BIGGEST EXPERIENCE OF YOUR LIFE

Lamaze Certified Childbirth Preparation Workshops are a comprehensive and effective way to help you be fully informed & well prepared to experience a safe and healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

1. You will have knowledge that will inspire the CONFIDENCE & TRUST in your body’s innate capability.
2. You will know how to use strategies that facilitate a healthy pregnancy and NORMAL birth
3. You will have the ability to make INFORMED BIRTH DECISIONS in partnership with your care provider.
4. You will understand how INTERVENTIONS influence the normal course of birth but also understand when they may be helpful.
5. You will understand your NEWBORNs needs and feel prepared to for BREASTFEEDING & POSTPARTUM

• Lamaze classes are best suited for both the expecting mother her partner 
• We recommend that you begin around 25-32 weeks gestation so that you feel ready weeks before your due date (Although you are welcome to join at any time you wish)
• Classes are conducted via ZOOM video meetings in small groups to ensure each person is heard
• Classes are live, engaging and interactive 
• We do one batch every month over 4 weekends - 4 sessions of about 3 hours each 

What are the topics covered in the course?    

1. How best to have a healthy pregnancy – know your body, nourishment during pregnancy, prenatal bonding
2. Preparing for Birth - How to evaluate & choose a care provider, preparing your body & mind, making a birth plan
3. What to expect from Birth – Stages of labor, how to cope, decoding pain, comfort measures, benefits & risks of interventions such as induction, epidural, episiotomy, cesarean etc.
4. Six Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices – the core of the Lamaze course
5. Welcoming the baby - Supporting the baby's birth experience, the golden hour and initiation of breastfeeding
6. Breastfeeding orientation – How it works, latching, milk supply and common challenges
7. Understanding your newborn & postpartum period

Common Myths about Lamaze Classes:

Myth#1: Lamaze is all about breathing 

Reality: The goal of Lamaze® classes is to increase women’s confidence in their ability to give birth. Lamaze® classes help women discover the inner wisdom they already have for giving birth. Women learn simple coping strategies for labour, including focused breathing. But breathing techniques are just one of many things that Lamaze® classes will help you uncover!   

Myth#2: Lamaze Promises painless childbirth 

Reality: Many women are afraid of the pain of labour, and that’s normal! Lamaze® classes help women understand the origin of pain and learn how to respond to pain in ways that both facilitate labour and increase comfort. We’ll discuss many ways to decrease the pain you’ll experience in labour   

Myth#3: Lamaze means you can’t have an epidural or a cesarean 

Reality: Lamaze® classes provide information about natural pain relief options as well as epidural anesthesia (and other medications). Eliminating pain completely is pretty much impossible – regardless of your plans for use of medication! Lamaze education will assist women and their partners in making personal decisions that are right for them.   

Myth#4: Lamaze doest "work"

Reality: Lamaze that “works” has nothing to do with feeling pain, taking or avoiding medication, or developing complications that necessitate medical interventions. Lamaze® teaches women that nature has designed birth simply and close to perfectly and that women already know how to give birth. Lamaze® works if you are informed and become an active participant in your experience.  

Myth#5: 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 after 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!   

"I am an independent Lamaze certified childbirth educator LCCE who is only committed to my clients. This means that you get an unbiased perspective. Information shared is based on what the evidence says regardless of hospital policies or protocols.
 

As birth doula that have supported several women during their birth journeys in various birth settings and been at many types of births - natural births, water births, induced labors, medically managed births and C- sections. I understand first-hand how the medical system works and can help you prepare and make informed choices and avoid unnecessary complications and interventions"
 

Read more about Neha's story here