Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center Network

Lamaze Classes

Lamaze promotes a natural, healthy and safe approach to pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. Knowing that pregnancy and childbirth can be demanding on a woman’s body and mind, Lamaze serves as a resource for information about what to expect and what choices are available during the childbearing years. With the assistance of a professional childbirth educator, Lamaze education and practices are based on the best, most current medical evidence available. They can help reduce the use of unnecessary interventions and improve overall outcomes for mothers and babies. Working closely with their families, health care providers and Lamaze educators, millions of pregnant women have achieved their desired childbirth outcomes using Lamaze practices.

Forming the foundation of the organization are the Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices. These evidence-based practices, adapted from the World Health Organization, promote, protect and support natural, safe and healthy birth.

The typical Lamaze class consists of at least 12 hours of instruction and includes no more than 12 couples. Topics covered are:

• Normal labor and birth (using videos of real births) and the early postpartum period
  How to be active and informed participants during the birth
  Focused breathing techniques for labor
  Other relaxation techniques and natural strategies to help you work with labor pain, such as massage, walking, position changes, and hydrotherapy
  Tips to help your partner encourage and support you during labor
  The value of one-on-one professional support during labor
  How to communicate with your healthcare team so your needs are met.
  Complications that could arise during labor and birth, and interventions that might be medically necessary
  Epidurals and other options for managing pain with medication
  Early interaction with your baby
  Breastfeeding

Lamaze classes are free for registered patients of MVNHC and also available at a slight fee for expectant mothers who would like to receive Lamaze instruction only.

For more information, please contact MVNHC’s OB/GYN/Women’s Health Department at (914) 699-7200 ext 639.