What is Lamaze?


​When you hear "Lamaze" the first thing that might come to mind is the image of a person in labor using their patterned breathing. 

​hee-hee-hee-heeeeeee  hee-hee-hee-heeee  hee-hee-hee-heee


​In the early days of Lamaze (nearly 60 years ago), Lamaze was a "method" of childbirth education that conditioned people to use relaxation and breathing techniques to manage uterine contractions during labor.   This might be what you think of when you hear the name, "Lamaze".
However, Lamaze is no longer a "method" for birthing babies.  Although comfort and relaxation continue to be key in managing labor, how that comfort and relaxation occurs looks different for everyone.  Therefore,  breathing is just one of MANY comfort techniques taught in Lamaze.  Parents have the option of discovering what comfort technique works best for them.
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​Today's Lamaze focuses on the Six Healthy Birth Practices.  These six evidence-based guidelines help parents become partners in their own prenatal and birth care.  Decisions made during birth can have a life-long impact and with a current cesarean rate three times higher than what the World Health Organization recommends, parents need to be informed decision makers about the care they receive.  Lamaze classes help parents become informed consumers of health care.


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​Upcoming Virtual Classes For Lancaster, PA




​Now more than ever with the changing situation of COVID-19, it is important that parents have up-to-date, evidence-based childbirth education for the healthiest outcomes for both mother and baby. 

Healthy parents and healthy babies should limit the amount of hospital time as much as possible during the COVID-19 outbreak. Our classes are designed to help you become an informed consumer and partner in your own health care so that you and your baby can return home as soon as possible.

Due to the popularity of this class, early registration is highly recommended.  If a class fills up, your name will be added to the waiting list.
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It is never too early or too late to take a class.  Everyone is welcome at any stage of pregnancy.

All classes have been moved to a virtual platform and significantly discounted during COVID-19 .

Lamaze Childbirth Education (Virtual)
$45

Tuesdays, June 9 - June 30
6:00 - 8:30 pm EST
Meets on Zoom

Tuesdays, July 7 - July 28
6:00 - 8:30 pm EST
Meets on Zoom

Today's Lamaze focuses on the Six Healthy Birth Practices.  These six evidence-based guidelines help parents become partners in their own prenatal and birth care.  Decisions made during birth can have a life-long impact and with a current cesarean rate three times higher than what the World Health Organization recommends, parents need to be informed decision makers about the care they receive.  Lamaze classes help parents become informed consumers of health care.

This class is recommended for any pregnant person and their support person, including those who may have attended a hospital based childbirth education class.

Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices (Virtual)
​$25

June 2
6:00 - 8:30 pm EST

This 2.5 hour class will take an in-depth look at the evidence-based Six Healthy Birth Practices. These practices are adopted from the World Health Organization (WHO) and ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) and lead to the healthiest outcomes for both mother and baby. This is an excellent class to help you make the best decisions during your labor and birth. 

​This class is recommended for those who have already attended a childbirth class.

Comfort Measures (Virtual Class)
​$25

May 26
6:00 - 8:30 pm EST

​This 2.5 hour class helps childbearing people understand how our body perceives sensations such as pleasure and pain and how to use that knowledge to manage your labor, based on your needs.

This class is recommended for those who have already attended a childbirth class and would like to use natural, non-medical means of pain relief during labor.

COMING SOON - MINI CLASSES

Family Trees has created a series of mini-classes on selected topics surrounding birth. These topics will help guide parents in making evidence-based choices.

Mini Classes will be available beginning May 2020

Courses costs $5 each and are available for a 30-day download.

TOPICS:
Your Birth Team & Your Birth Place
Positions For Labor
Comfort Measures
Pharmaceutical Pain Management Options
VBAC
Induction
Healthy Postpartum
Making Informed Choices
Cervical Exams
Fetal Monitoring

About the Instructor


Wendy is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, a Fellow of the Academy of Certified Childbirth Educators and is internationally known for her dynamic teaching style.  As a program director for Lamaze International, Wendy has trained over 200 childbirth educators from more than 20 countries.

She holds a masters degree in health with a concentration in midwifery and women's healthcare.  She is pursing a doctorate in adult education and plans to complete certification as IBCLC in 2020.

​​As a doula and assistant midwife, Wendy has attended over 500 births. ​ Professionally, she speaks at major universities, hospitals, and at international conferences where she receives glowing accolades.  A published scholar, Wendy enjoys facilitating research projects.
Teaching thousands of parents independently and in major hospital systems in the US, Wendy is also the Lamaze childbirth educator training & resources committee chair.

​Read more about Wendy here.

Hear From Our Students


"Very thankful for Wendy.  This was absolutely an amazing learning experience!" 

"The instructor was knowledgeable and well prepared. A+++++

"You are an angel, and an amazing teacher.  An inspiration to all of us."

"Wendy is a really beautiful and kind soul."

"Wendy was engaging, supportive, and encouraging"

"Wendy is an angel!  She's been amazing.  It has been a true blessing having her here"

"Wendy is an amazing instructor and person"

"Wendy is a wonderful educator.  She had very creative activities to help us learn the material." 

"Wendy was absolutely amazing!  So knowledgeable and kind"

"Excellent seminar taught by an excellent instructor." 

"Excellent, engaging and informative"

"Instructor was engaging and organized.  Allowed ample time for discussion.  She was open and honest.  The atmosphere was conducive to learning and sharing."

"Wendy was an excellent instructor - warm, knowledgeable, and creative!"

"I highly recommend Wendy as a Lamaze trainer"

"Wendy has a non-hurried, relaxed teaching style which puts all students at ease.  She shared a multitude of resources for instructors to share with their students."


"I really enjoyed this seminar.  The instructor kept us engaged and very interested." 

"Your interactive teaching methods are receiving kudos across the board on the surveys.  Raving reviews came from ....on how prepared they were for the process, the laboring and ultimately the OR. What you are teaching is working and the way you are teaching is getting our patients prepared for their big day. Thank you for all you do!"  - Program Manager – Women’s Community Education

"Wendy is an excellent instructor.  Very warm, engaging, creative.  I had a wonderful experience." 

"This class was both very informative and enjoyable!  Wendy is amazing and I feel totally confident and supported in the new relationship we have." 

"The content of this course was FANTASTIC!!!  Wendy was so professional, kind, informative, yet relatable.  I HIGHLY recommend this specific course to anyone interested in taking a Lamaze class"

"Great course.  Great instructor."  

"  Wendy is a fantastic instructor.  She makes me feel more confident." 

Survey Question:  "What did you enjoy most about this class?"

Answers from students:
  • ​"The instructor"
  •  "Knowledge of the instructor"
  • "Wendy was so energetic.  Kept me attentive"
  •  "Wendy is amazing!  She made us feel so comfortable!"
  • "The knowledge Wendy has"