THE LAMAZE METHOD OF PREPARED CHILDBIRTH
(Page 2 of 4)
May/June 1971
By the Mother Earth News editors
When we discovered that I was pregnant we were overwhelmed. It wasn't that we didn't want a baby . . . it was just that a baby had no place in our current frame of reference. So—hard as it is for us to believe now—we could only think about the birth abstractly. We thought it would be neat (cool, in, etc.) to have the baby naturally and together. We didn't realize what an incredible experience it would be.
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I asked my doctor about the idea and he told me there was an organization of "natural childbirth" people—doctors mostly, and lots of convinced parents—called The American Society for Psychoprophylaxis in Obstetrics, 36 West 96th St., New York, N.Y. 10025. I doubt that you've heard of it and I certainly wouldn't have if my doctor hadn't told me.
About that time, we moved and—doctor-wise—were left high and dry. Also about that time—the fifth month—the baby started squirming inside me and quickly motivated me to call the local branch of the Psychoprophylactic Society. The folks there gave me a list of doctors who did Lamaze and a list of hospitals that gave a Lamaze course and allowed the baby's father into both the labor and delivery rooms.
Incidentally, not all doctors—by far—believe in the Lamaze method and our "list" of hospitals contained exactly one name! But the tide is changing and, if your doctor hasn't yet seen the light, ask him to recommend you to one who has. If he can't or won't, write to the national organization. They'll give you a lead.
When we registered for the Lamaze course (which didn't begin until six weeks before our baby's due date) at the hospital to which we had been referred, we were given a list of books to read. I'm going to tell you the three best ones (they're fall paperbacks) here because I think they present as good an idea as a book can of the Lamaze Childbirth Method.
AWAKE AND AWARE by Dr. Irwin Chabon explains the history of childbirth practices, including the Lamaze method. Chabon reminds us that the Lamaze technique is valuable for all three family members: healthier for the baby because of lack of strong drugs; exciting and profound for the mother because she is fully conscious and participating in the birth of her baby; meaningful for the father because he also participates in the birth of his child. Chabon makes you enthusiastic by making the whole thing seem real.
SIX PRACTICAL LESSONS FOR AN EASIER CHILDBIRTH by Elisabeth Bing gives specific explanations—with lots of illustrations—of preparatory exercises for the parents to do. The book also clearly describes the various phases of labor and explains the breathing-relaxing exercises that go with each.
THANK YOU, DR. LAMAZE by Marjorie Karmel. A first-person account by a woman who has had two children by the Lamaze method. This popular book introduced the Lamaze technique to America only 11 years ago, in 1960!
