My experience with Lamaze

I posted this on the other thread but really want to make sure people see this as I feel it might be helpful to those who are on the fence about learning breathing techniques.

Now- I KNEW I wanted an epi, so I was thinking, "Will Lamaze really be that necessary?" My mom was the one who really pushed me to take the class- as she had both my sis and I totally natural, but still used the breathing techniques while waiting for her epi with my brother.

When I was laboring through contractions waiting for my epi- my husband helped me with my breathing that we'd learned. I still felt the contractions, and they were painful, but manageble. I really didn't think the Lamaze breathing was doing anything, but it helped to keep my mind busy.

When the doctor came in to do my epi- my DH was so distracted that he forgot to look at the monitor to tell me another contraction was coming (which is when you would start the breathing cycle).

Well- when the peak of that contraction hit me- HOLY HELL. It was WAAAAY worse than the other contractions that I had breathed through.

SO- my take is that Lamaze breathing DOES work as it helps to keep the mind focused off the pain of the contractions. You WILL still feel pain, but it is totally manageable. Had all my other contractions felt like that "unprepeared" one- I would have been screaming bloody murder until I got my epi. Instead, I was very calm and controlled while I waited for my epi.

Also- I swear the childbirth class was a total waste of time (but going on the tour totally made it worth it). I rented Laugh and Learn Lamaze from my library and found it to be SO informative and went into depth about breathing techniques and timing.

Re: My experience with Lamaze

THank you for your posting...