Article: You can find lots of helpful information here: http://www.lamaze.org/. This website provides access to emailed weekly pregnancy advice, online classes, and tips. The website also describes what to expect from a typical Lamaze class. Use Lamaze’s online locator tool to find a certified instructor close to you: http://www.lamaze.org/FindALamazeChildbirthClass. Once you have your list of potential options and their contact information, speak with several teachers and ask them questions about themselves and the course. You want someone who makes you feel comfortable and open, as they’ll be helping you through an intimate and important process in your life. The locator tool will allow you to search by the name of a specific instructor who may have been recommended to you, or to enter your desired proximity up to 50 miles (80.47 km) away from your zipcode. Classes can be held in hospitals, birthing centers, healthcare providers’ offices, homes, or community centers. Lamaze’s online locator tool lists the locations of various courses along with the instructors. The website also provides a map showing the distances from the course locations to your home. If you’re taking a weekly class, you may want to prioritize convenience. Be sure, however, that the space you choose is one in which you can relax. Typical Lamaze classes include comprehensive, 12-hour coverage of labor, birth, early baby care, breastfeeding, and healthy lifestyle tips. These classes should also teach you relaxation, breathing, and massage techniques for pain management during labor and delivery. Check to make sure your instructor’s course plan adheres to these standards. Many expectant mothers appreciate Lamaze for its non-judgmental approach to medical intervention during labor. Lamaze classes will not encourage you to choose one birth plan over another. Lamaze instead fosters confidence and communication skills so that pregnant women can make safe and calm decisions during delivery. It’s important to ensure that you’re learning from a person who has the necessary training. Lamaze International offers the only internationally recognized childbirth education certification. If you found your instructor using the Lamaze website, you can rest assured that they’re fully certified. If you found your instructor on your own, ask the instructor to provide a record of their certification. If you’re taking your course at a hospital or healthcare provider’s office, you’ll likely receive instruction from a registered nurse (RN) who has also been certified to teach Lamaze.
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Visit Lamaze International’s website to learn about the program. Contact instructors in your area. Pick a location for your class. Read your potential instructors’ curricula. Check on your instructor’s training.