The New Mexico State University School of Nursing will host Lamaze childbirth preparation classes for free to pregnant women in their seventh to ninth month of pregnancy starting March 17 from 7-9 p.m. in the Memorial Lounge of the College of Health and Social Services building.
NMSU nursing faculty and students are teaching the six-week educational classes to women with due dates in April, May and June. The classes are everyMonday night from March 17 to April 28 with the exception of March 24, due to spring break. To register, call college assistant professor Martha Morales at 575-646-8089.
Lamaze childbirth education classes provide expectant women and their support person the information they need to feel confidence in their body’s natural ability to go through the birth process and make the healthiest decisions for their baby. The classes alleviate the fears regarding the birth process and help in the management of pain, according to lamaze.org.
The classes will cover options, including medications, for attaining greater comfort during labor and birth.
Lamaze helps the expectant woman and her support person work effectively with their provider to make decisions, which make them feel good about, and ensure a safe, healthy and satisfying childbearing experience.
“Lamaze instructors are professionals such as registered nurses, physical therapists and physicians, who have been certified to be instructors through the American Society for Psychoprophylaxis in Obstetrics (ASPO),” said Morales. “For instructors to be certified in the program, it is a stringent process requiring multiple modules followed by an exam. Periodic recertification is required through continuing education.”
A support person is welcome to attend with the mothers. Free parking is available off of Jordan Street. For more information on Lamaze childbirth education classes, visit www.lamaze.org.