WITH childbirth often accompanied by uncertainty and anxiety, a physiotherapy specialist at University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) is urging expectant mothers to embrace Lamaze and childbirth education as they prepare to navigate pregnancy and the early days of parenthood.

The call comes as the hospital seeks to raise awareness of its Lamaze and childhood education classes, which go beyond the traditional focus on breathing techniques to prepare mothers and their partners for pregnancy and postpartum recovery.

“Lamaze has moved away from only being about deep-breathing for years now. Yes, they [mothers] are taught the different breathing techniques that they can do during labour as well as while exercising, but Lamaze is basically preparing the mom from pregnancy through delivery and early parenthood. It’s an overall combination of everything, so that moms feel prepared and are ready for motherhood, and to be less fearful of the birthing process, especially first-time mothers,” Level 2 physiotherapist and Lamaze childbirth educator Monique Richmond said at UHWI Physiotherapy Department’s open day last Thursday, held in observation of World Physiotherapy Week.

According to Richmond, Lamaze lessons also educate mothers how to maintain muscle strength and flexibility, good posture, and helps to lessen weight gain during pregnancy.

“They’re also educated on the importance of having a good support system. They’re educated on the different birth positions. They’re educated on life after delivery, so like early parenthood or postpartum depression. They’re also educated on how to get a good latch with their baby, the importance of bonding with their baby, as well as how to get good production of breast milk through massage and stimulation. So it’s a very vast, in-depth class,” Richmond said.

The class also includes instruction on stretching, and informs mothers about the risk of injury and the signs that indicate when to stop exercise.

“So they are fully aware of everything in terms of fitness and pregnancy. The class also teaches about how to cope with contractions, the different comfort techniques that they can do to cope with the pain, and how their significant other can play a role in helping them as well,” explained Richmond.

She added that lessons are inclusive and inexpensive, noting that many mothers and their partners participate in the programme which, she said, costs $3,000 per session.

The physiotherapist further noted that the course encourages taking along a plus one to support the expectant mother, at no additional cost.

So far, Richmond said the response has been “very good”, but she appealed for more participation.

“I would like for more mothers to know of it and to become more involved in birth classes so they can have all the necessary information and can be more prepared. So far, I haven’t met anyone that has been hesitant when they’ve learnt about it,” Richmond told the Jamaica Observer.

“So, again, I just want to bring awareness to Jamaica that if you’re a first-time mom especially, there’s a support system out there that you can be educated on in terms of preparing you for pregnancy as well as for delivery,” Richmond added.