Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to take a Lamaze course?

We recommend taking a course when you are 25-30 weeks. That way, the information you learn in the course will be fresh in your mind when you go into labour and you and your partner will be able to use the skills you learned and put them into practice! However, for your comfort we also recommend that you finish the course no later than around 36 weeks.

Does Lamaze teach breathing methods?

Lamaze is so much more than the breathing techniques we are known for. For a long time, Lamaze classes were synonymous with breathing. So much so that they affectionately became known as the “huffing and puffing” classes. Lamaze today is not the Lamaze from your mother’s generation. While breathing is still acknowledged to be a valuable relaxation tool in labour, we don’t teach “methods” or “techniques” for breathing in labour. Instead, women are now taught a wide variety of comfort measures and relaxation techniques and knowledge that can be extremely helpful in labour.

Will my partner learn how to coach me?

Lamaze classes don’t teach partners how to coach. After all, labour and birth is an amazing process, not a footy match!

Our classes provide the birthing person and partner with enough knowledge, confidence and power to positively approach their birth. We focus on empowering parents so that they can make informed choices for their birth no matter how their baby is born.

Your partner will learn essential information about labour support to help support you during labour. Lamaze classes teach partners how to support a pregnant person – and themselves – during labour without pressuring them to “coach.”

I’m planning to take the prenatal course my hospital is offering. What’s the benefit of taking a Lamaze course as well – or instead of?

First of all, there are good hospital classes out there, but hospital classes tend to be very large, impersonal, and often based off outdated evidence. Hospital classes also tend to focus on the logistics of giving birth in that particular hospital and generally have a very medical approach to labour and birth with minimal (if any) time set aside for practical skills such a relaxation, comfort measures and very importantly, questions.

You can be assured that all the information in a Lamaze course is based on the best, and most recent evidence-based research and that couples will learn everything they need to know in order to make the best, informed decisions about the labour and their baby’s birth. Having said that, we believe that ‘knowledge is power’ and the knowledge that you will gain through antenatal classes along with your Lamaze classes may assist you.

I’m planning to have an epidural, will a Lamaze course be relevant to me?

Classes are definitely not anti-epidural or necessary medical intervention. You’ll learn about benefits, risks and alternatives to medication and intervention so that you can make informed decisions when you’re in labour. Bottom line – you’ll learn the latest, evidence-based information to help feel empowered to make the choices that are best for you and your baby.

Do you offer private classes?

Yes, If you cannot attend face-to-face classes - we understand that it isn’t always possible to get to classes! Most of our educators offer private classes and online virtual classes. Please contact individual educators to confirm.

Does Lamaze teach evidence based information?

Yes, Six decades of research and experience have taught us that birth is transformative and that every family deserves a safe and healthy birth experience. Our evidence-based Six Healthy Birth Practices are the basis of Lamaze education, which teaches about the safest and healthiest practices for a safe and healthy birth.

Lamaze Helps You Decide What’s Best for Both You and Your Baby

  • Supporting you with science-backed pregnancy, birth and parenting information taught by certified childbirth educators.

  • Guiding you as you navigate all of your options, and their benefits and risks.

  • Helping you understand how your body was designed for birth, and encouraging you to work with your body’s natural abilities.

  • Providing strategies for comfort and coping with pain during labor, reducing unnecessary medical interventions, and receiving continuous support during labor and birth.

  • Encouraging bonding between you and your baby, with the importance of skin-to-skin contact and time to get to know your new baby after birth.

Working closely with their families, health care providers and Lamaze educators, millions of pregnant women have achieved their desired childbirth outcomes using Lamaze practices.

The mission of Lamaze International is to advance safe and healthy pregnancy, birth and early parenting through evidence-based education and advocacy. 

What is covered in the course, What will I learn in the course?

All our Lamaze educators update their information regularly and all content is modified and relevant for Australian healthcare systems.

The following topics are all covered in our Lamaze courses:

  • The basic anatomy and physiology of pregnancy

  • Stages and phases of labour

  • Birth location options

  • What to take to the hospital

  • How to tell if you are in labour and when to go to the hospital (if you are choosing a hospital birth)

  • Comfort measures for the physical discomforts of late pregnancy

  • Physical changes in your body during the 3rd trimester

  • The role of hormones in labour and postpartum

  • Comfort measures such as breathing, use of heat and cold, hydrotherapy, massage, counter-pressure and positioning in labour

  • The role of pain in labour and how to work with it

  • Communication skills to help you work most effectively with your health care providers

  • Common hospital procedures and interventions

  • Caesarean birth

  • The importance of continuous emotional and physical support

  • Relaxation and visualization techniques

  • Beneficial positions for pushing and delivery

  • The postpartum period for mother, her partner and baby

  • Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding

  • Newborn care

  • Support and resources for new mothers.

Does the course cover postpartum care, newborn care and early parenting?

Definitely! Lamaze courses recognise the importance of covering pregnancy, birth and early parenting and so these areas are all covered in a Lamaze course. We cover newborn care, a comprehensive overview of breastfeeding/chestfeeding, what to expect in the first days, weeks and even months of your baby’s life, baby blues and postpartum depression (mothers and fathers). We will also look at the change in personal identity for mum / birthing person, and possible changes in the relationship between couples, families and friends.

In addition to my partner, can my doula/mum/labour support person also attend the course?

The Lamaze Healthy Birth Practice 3 is; “Bring a loved one, friend or doula for continuous support” so the answer is a definite yes!, if that person is planning to support you in labour then you are more than welcome to have them attend the class with you. We suggest you bring along a friend (or your doula) as you’ll want to have someone who can learn the massage and comfort techniques to help you during labour. So, choose someone who will be there to support you during your birth and bring them along.

Do you serve the LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex) community?

Absolutely! Our classes are inclusive, warm and welcoming of all families. Everyone’s journey to parenthood is unique. We welcome and respect all families, all people of all genders, family structures and orientations.