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| The Lamaze Childbirth Method is recognized worldwide as the best preparation for a natural painless childbirth. It is basically a series of breathing techniques combined with concentration, relaxation and physical preparation aimed to eliminate pain during childbirth. It was developed by a French doctor, Fernand Lamaze, in the 1950s and has been widely accepted in Europe and the U.S. It is so popular that we see the method being applied in childbirth scenes of movies such as "Junior" and "Nine Months." Lamaze has been widely practiced in Manila since the mid-1980s and in Davao City since 1997 when Gamay Arkoncel-Dacanay started teaching couples, their doctors and hospital delivery room staff. Gamay is now in Manila holding Lamaze classes to spread what she termed "Zero-pain" Lamaze. This is the method as conceived by Dr. Lamaze himself, which he even called "painless, natural childbirth." Her method is based on the works of Dr.Lamaze and other prominent authors, her Lamaze birth experiences, her practice as a teacher who has taught "Zero-pain" Lamaze to more than a hundred couples, and her two-decades theater practice, which taught her important lessons in stamina-building, focus and concentration. Her method has evolved through the years from a 16-session course to a 4-session course. Next: How can the Lamaze Method help me? Main |