Childbirth Approaches

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Childbirth Approaches
Lamaze
The Lamaze philosophy of birth is that birth is "normal, natural, and healthy." The Lamaze philosophy cites birth as an experience which "profoundly affects women and their families." Lamaze educators believe that a woman's "inner wisdom" will guide her through the birth process. With training, the use of deliberate breathing, focusing, massage, walking and positioning, should help a woman better facilitate labor and make herself more comfortable.

Lamaze states that women are either nurtured or inhibited by those in attendance and the environment in which labor and delivery occur. They support birth in hospitals, birthing centers, or at home, wherever mother will be most comfortable, with as little medical intervention (in the form of pain relief, monitoring devices, procedures) as possible.

The job of a Lamaze childbirth educator is to "empower" women to be proactive in their healthcare, to make educated and informed decisions about their bodies and the bodies of their babies.

Lamaze courses generally run twelve hours, split up over a series of weekly meetings. They are taught by Lamaze International trained educators, often nurses. The mother-to-be is attended by a birth coach, which may or may not be baby's father.

Lamaze training is helpful to both women who choose natural delivery and to those who use pain medication, because the techniques do help women focus on the job at hand. The educational approach to teaching about pain medication is helpful, and while medication is not encouraged, women are not made to feel guilty about opting for it if they feel the need.

The pros: All natural; no medications affecting mother or child; family members can participate in birthing experience as coach or other support person; tremendous sense of accomplishment; an educated mother is a confident mother.

The cons: Pain management is not as easy as it sounds; possibility of guilt for mothers who opt for drugs after attempting Lamaze.

The Bradley Method
Created by Dr. Robert Bradley, in the 1960's, the Bradley Method of childbirth is based on keeping pregnancy and delivery natural, since it is a natural occurrence. Bradley enthusiasts are adamantly opposed to pain medication.

How is Bradley different than Lamaze? Bradley is a much more comprehensive approach, beginning during the second trimester, usually in the fifth month, which addresses much more than labor and delivery. Many consider Bradley a lifestyle, rather than a childbirth method.

Bradley places tremendous importance on the birth coach, presumed to be the husband. The word husband has been stressed repeatedly in Bradley discussion.

It strongly supports nutrition, exercise, relaxation, communication and working as a team from early pregnancy through delivery and beyond to baby care and family life. The tenets of Bradley are:

Excellent nutrition (the foundation of a healthy pregnancy and labor)
• Avoidance of drugs
• Early training
• Natural breathing combined with relaxation techniques
• Tuning into/working with your body
• Immediate and continuous contact with your new baby
• Breastfeeding beginning immediately at birth
• Positive communications
• Informed parents sharing in the making of responsible decisions

The Bradley Method is a holistic approach to pregnancy and childbirth which many find quite helpful. In my experience, my patients either love Bradley or hate it.

The pros: All natural, no medications affecting mother or child; fathers are active participants in birth process; higher rates of breastfeeding success; due to extensive preparation, mothers are potentially more at ease with birth process.

The cons: Pain management is not as easy as it sounds; mothers may feel intense pressure to refuse medical intervention when needed; some participants feel the Bradley Method is a lifestyle change with which they are not comfortable.

Hypno-birthing
Another medication free method of controlling pain is hypno-birthing. There are multiple schools of thought on hypno-birthing, but all come down to the same basic conclusions.

Hypnosis will not take pain away, but it can enable a woman to block the pain perception and ease anxiety about pain. A woman can use hypnosis to control her perception of and reaction to pain, having a natural childbirth with less pain, while remaining in control of her body. Some supporters claim that hypno-birthing, or maternity hypnotherapy as it is sometimes called, can even speed the labor process along.

With the assistance of a trained hypno-therapist at the delivery or through previous training of the mother and coach with a trained hypno-therapist, the laboring mother-to-be is able to control her body through deep relaxation, breathing patterns and the self-guided release of endorphins (the body's own pain reliever) resulting in a safe, comfortable, pain free (or less painful) delivery of a healthy baby. Food for thought.

The pros: Believers are very supportive; claim labor is easier and quicker with hypno-birthing.

The cons: Not all medical practitioners support hypno-birthing; skeptical reaction from outsiders.

Reflexology birthing
Applied touch therapy is helpful to some laboring mothers. Reflexologists are trained in pressure points which correspond to musculature and organ systems. Pressure points on the feet may increase hormone production and ease pain during labor and delivery.