Having Your Baby: A Complete Lamaze Prepared Childbirth Class

Registered Nurses Ronnie Hammond and Stacy McCullough promise "laugher, dignity and serious exercising" in this 2-hour Lamaze childbirth preparation class for parents-to-be. Encouraging viewers to watch and thoroughly practice the program in 15- to 20-minute segments, Hammond and McCullough's exercise regimen includes proper breathing, massage, effleurage, and other relaxation techniques central to the Lamaze program. Sporting a reassuring bedside manner, particularly in their careful explanation of how to prepare for the many surprises and discomforts encountered during discrete stages of labor, the nurses effectively mix some lighthearted joking in with the straightforward explanations of the physiology of the birthing process; potential physical and psychological signs couples may experience before, during, and after delivery; techniques to prepare for cesarean birth; and comfort measures for "back labor." Staid classroom footage is enhanced by useful animation that clearly illustrates the various stages of labor. A more detailed and less expensive alternative to recent Lamaze instruction videos such as Celebrate Birth! (VL-1/01), this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (A. Cantú)