LAMAZE Childbirth Education   Lamaze Philosophies on Pregnancy: Pregnancy is a normal, natural life event. Women’s bodies are perfectly designed to nourish and nurture their babies through pregnancy. The months of pregnancy are necessary for babies to develop and grow, for women's bodies to prepare for birth and for women to become mothers. Pregnancy provides an opportunity for mothers and fathers to begin forming lifelong bonds with their babies. A good support system, a healthy lifestyle and the ability to cope with the stresses of life promote a healthy pregnancy, a healthy birth and a healthy baby. The health-care system and care provider can increase or decrease a woman’s confidence in the normality of pregnancy and in her ability to have a healthy baby. Lamaze education empowers women gain confidence in their bodies, trust their inner wisdom and to make informed decisions about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenting Lamaze Philosophies on Birth: Birth is normal, natural and healthy. The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families. Women's inner wisdom guides them through birth. Women's confidence and ability to give birth is either enhanced or diminished by the care provider and place of birth. Women have the right to give birth free from routine medical interventions. Birth can safely take place in homes, birth centers and hospitals. Childbirth education empowers women to make informed choices in health care, to assume responsibility for their health and to trust their inner wisdom. Lamaze Philosophies on Parenting: Good parenting is vital to the physical, emotional and spiritual health of our children, ourselves and our society. Parenting is joyful, important, challenging and deeply satisfying work that is worthy of everyone’s best efforts. Parenting begins before birth. The intimate connection between children and their parents must be respected and protected from the moment of birth throughout life. Mothers and fathers play unique, irreplaceable roles in their children’s lives. Babies and children thrive in close, consistent interaction with their parents. Parenting is a learned art our most important teachers are our own parents, our family and our children. Good parenting requires the support of family, friends and community. Knowledge and support enhance parents’ confidence and ability to make informed decisions that meet the needs of their children and themselves.