Lamaze Method: How Soon Should You Start Lamaze Classes?

The Lamaze method is a childbirth education technique that helps pregnant individuals and their partners prepare for labour and delivery. It was pioneered in the 1950s by a doctor named Fernand Lamaze, emphasising anaesthesia-free pain, movement, and breathing techniques. [1] This method also includes preparing people psychologically to make delivering a baby smoother.

While a lot of people think that Lamaze classes are only for rhythmic breathing, they offer much more than that. The method sponsors active involvement during labour, educated choices, and limiting unnecessary medical treatment.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) also supports childbirth education programs like Lamaze classes, as they teach non-medicated pain relief techniques that can improve the overall birthing experience.

Whether you prefer a natural birth or want to stay open to pain relief options, the Lamaze method provides valuable knowledge that helps you feel in control during labour.

Taking Lamaze classes offers practical techniques to facilitate coping during labour and childbirth. These classes address pain control, breathing techniques, movement, and making choices to enhance the childbirth experience. This is an overview of what is covered in Lamaze classes and some of the benefits:

1) Mastering Lamaze Breathing Techniques

One of the more popular features of Lamaze classes is the effective Lamaze techniques for breathing. There are several exercises related to breathing that are designed to cope with different phases of labour as follows:

• Slow-paced breathing - You can practice breathing in the early part of labour. [2] In between contractions, you can breathe deeply through the nose and then exhale slowly through the mouth. This rhythm lets you calm down and keep some energy when active labour starts.

• Modified breathing - As contractions become powerful, modified breathing helps you cope with the focus challenge. You employ shorter breaths as you rhythmically contract, creating moderate tension that lessens the ability to breathe.

• Set breathing patterns - For example, “hee-hee-hoo” breathing can divert attention from pain while ensuring muscles receive proper oxygen and reduce fatigue. Such breathing techniques also help to gain and retain focus.

2) Movement and Positioning for Labour

Lamaze lessons also taught students the importance of postures and movements and how they can enable the smoother progression of active labour. Some key methods taught are:

• Walking - Allows gravity to help pull the infant down the birthing canal.

• Squatting - Assists with opening the pelvis to enable the infant to move down.

• Rocking on a birth ball – Facilitates relaxation where there is tension in the lower back.

• Hands-and-knee position - Enables rotation of an infant not in the most favourable position for birth.

• Side-lying position - Good for resting but allows some pelvic movement.

3) Understanding Labour and Delivery

These classes help prepare expecting mothers educate and prepare them for the entire process of childbirth so they approach it with full confidence instead of fear. Some of the areas that were covered are such as:

• The stages of labour - The early labour, active labour, transition, and pushing stages- Understanding them will be much easier if you know by memory what’s coming next. [3]

• Recognising early labour signs - Distinguishing between true and false contractions can put a stop to superfluous trips to the hospital.

• When to go to the hospital or birthing centre - Most first-time parents either go too early or too late. Lamaze courses help deal with this issue.

• Medical interventions - Understanding the common procedures, such as the use of epidurals, induced labour, C-sections, etc., will allow you to make proper decisions if the need arises.

4) Role of the Birth Partner

Lamaze classes prepare birth partners to:

• Offer reassurance and encouragement – Positive affirmations and presence can make a huge difference in keeping you calm.

• Use massage and counterpressure – Techniques like lower back massage or applying firm pressure to the hips can ease contraction pain. [4]

• Assist with positioning and movement – Helping you change positions or supporting you in squatting can make labour more manageable.

• Advocate for your birth plan – When you’re in the middle of labour, your birth partner can communicate your preferences to medical staff, ensuring your wishes are respected.

5) Natural Pain Management Strategies

Lamaze classes teach a variety of pain relief methods beyond Lamaze breathing, including:

• Guided relaxation and visualisation – Focusing on calming images and relaxing body scans can ease tension.

• Massage and counterpressure – Pressure to specific areas (like the lower back) can relieve discomfort.

• Hydrotherapy – Warm showers or baths can reduce pain and help muscles relax.

• Hot and cold therapy – Heat packs or cold compresses can alleviate sore muscles.

• Rhythmic movement – Gentle swaying, rocking, and hip circles can help manage contractions naturally.

6) Creating a Birth Plan

Lamaze classes guide you in creating a well-structured birth plan by considering the following:

• Pain relief options – Whether you want a natural birth or are open to an epidural.

• Birthing positions – Preferences for squatting, side-lying, or water birth.

• Medical interventions – How you feel about C-sections, labour induction, or assisted delivery.

• Who will be in the delivery room – Specify who you want by your side during birth.

• Immediate postpartum care – Skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping, and breastfeeding preferences.

Attending Lamaze classes isn’t just about learning techniques—it’s about gaining confidence in your body’s ability to give birth. Here are some key benefits:

• Reduces Fear and Anxiety: Fear can make labour more painful. Staying calm and focused is easier when you understand what’s happening in your body.

• Encourages Natural Pain Management: Lamaze breathing and movement help you cope with contractions without immediately relying on medication.

• Promotes a Shorter Labour: Staying active and using the right techniques can help your body progress more efficiently, potentially leading to shorter labour.

• Lowers the Risk of Medical Interventions: Understanding how to manage pain and move during labour reduces the likelihood of interventions like epidurals, C-sections, or forceps delivery.

The ideal time to start Lamaze classes is during the third trimester—around weeks 28 to 32 of pregnancy. This allows enough time to absorb the techniques while ensuring the information is fresh when labour begins. However, the right timing depends on your situation:

1) Starting Earlier (Second Trimester – Weeks 20-28)

• It's ideal if you want more time to practise.

• It is helpful if you have a high-risk pregnancy and need extra preparation.

• Great if you have a busy schedule and want flexibility in completing the course.

2) Starting Later (Week 33 Onwards)

• It works well if you’re looking for a refresher course.

• It is not recommended for first-time parents who need more practice time.

• You may have limited availability in classes, so early registration is advised.

3) Weekend or Intensive Courses

For clients with little flexibility, some hospitals and birthing centres have put together intensive Lamaze courses that are completed over the weekend. These classes are useful but do not afford ample practice like some of the longer courses.

Every childbirth process is different, but being prepared ahead of time can make a world of difference. For example, the Lamaze classes teach various skills like breathing, movement, and pain management, making it possible to have a favourable birthing experience.

If you want to start, the third semester (weeks 28-32) is ideal, although the earlier or later classes could still be helpful, depending on the individual.

Most importantly, speak with an expert healthcare professional at your local super-speciality hospital who can help you formulate a birth plan to steer you toward a successful delivery.

What do you think about considering Lamaze classes for your child’s birth preparation? We are eager to hear your opinion!

1) Who should take Lamaze classes?

Lamaze classes are ideal for expectant mothers and their birth partners who want to learn natural pain management, breathing techniques, and labour support strategies for a positive birth experience.

2) When should I start Lamaze classes?

Most women start Lamaze classes in the third trimester, around 28–32 weeks, to have enough time to practice breathing techniques and pain management strategies before labour.

3) Do Lamaze classes only teach breathing techniques?

No, Lamaze classes cover breathing, movement, pain management, birth partner support, labour stages, medical interventions, and creating a birth plan for a well-rounded childbirth education.

4) Can Lamaze classes help reduce the need for pain medication?

Yes, Lamaze techniques focus on natural pain relief methods like breathing, movement, and relaxation, which can help reduce reliance on epidurals and other medications during labour.

5) Are Lamaze classes useful for planned C-sections?

Absolutely! Lamaze classes teach relaxation, recovery tips, and partner support techniques that are beneficial even for those planning a C-section birth.

1. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Lamaze | Breathing techniques, pain relief & labor support. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/Lamaze

2. Issac, A., Nayak, S. G., T, P., Balakrishnan, D., Halemani, K., Mishra, P., P, I., Vr, V., Jacob, J., & Stephen, S. (2023b). Effectiveness of breathing exercise on the duration of labour: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Global Health, 13. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.13.04023

3. Hutchison, J., Mahdy, H., & Hutchison, J. (2023b, January 30). Stages of labor. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544290/

4. Smith, C. A., Levett, K. M., Collins, C. T., Dahlen, H. G., Ee, C. C., & Suganuma, M. (2018). Massage, reflexology and other manual methods for pain management in labour. Cochrane Library, 2018(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd009290.pub3