1

Lamaze Birthing Techniques (Dr. Fernand Lamaze)

• Goal is to learn how to deal positively with pain and to relax at the onset of a contraction.

• Low income and minority groups are less likely to take advantage of these methods.

2

Family Birthing Center

http://www.stlukeshospital.com/pg_progserv/ps_birthing.htm

3

Medication delivery 1/3 of woman receive an

epidural anesthesia–produces numbness from waist down.

Newer: Walking epidural or Dual spinal-epidural – smaller needles deliver continuous anesthetic; can move about more freely during labor.

4

Effects of Pain Medications on Baby

depresses oxygen flow slows labor fetus becomes less responsive fetus may have slower motor control fetus (may

be slower to sit and stand during first year) initial interaction between mother and fetus

may be affected

**Not all studies suggest harmful effects for fetus!**

5

Longer is Better…

Some medical insurance companies are pushing for moms to only be allowed to stay for 24 hours.

Do you think this reduction is justified?

6

Trained health care workers use the APGAR Scale

• appearance (color) • pulse (heart rate) • grimace (reflex irritability) • activity (muscle tone) • respiration (respiratory effort)

7

The APGAR Scale

8

Postpartum blues: symptoms appear 2 to 3 days after delivery and subside within 1 to 2 weeks

No symptoms

10%

70%

20%

Postpartum depression: symptoms linger for weeks or months and interfere with daily functioning

Percentage of U.S. Women Who Experience Postpartum Blues and Postpartum Depression

Affects ~10 percent of mothers.

Can cause emotional problems for infants.

One in 500 cases include break with

reality, like Andrea Yates.