These three pillars define the core of who Lamaze is:
EVIDENCE-BASED
Lamaze education and practices are firmly grounded in the latest research. In everything we offer, we recommend the safest and healthiest options to parents without judgment.
RESPECTFUL
Everyone’s journey to parenthood is unique. We welcome and respect all individuals and families from every corner of the world. Regardless of expectations or values, we firmly believe that everyone benefits from an informed pregnancy and birth.
TRANSFORMATIVE
The journey from pregnancy to parenthood can be transformative for families. We want parents to feel confident asking questions and making informed decisions, and to feel comfortably able to take control of their personal journeys.
Why Lamaze?
Lamaze education and practices are based on the best, most current medical evidence available. They can help reduce the use of unnecessary interventions and improve overall outcomes for mothers and babies. Working closely with families, health care providers and Lamaze certified educators, millions of parents have achieved their desired childbirth outcomes using Lamaze practices.
As a nonprofit organization, the work of Lamaze International is supported by many actively engaged unpaid volunteers who give generously of their time and talent. Volunteers serve on the Board of Directors, the Education, and Accreditation Councils and on various Lamaze committees and task forces. Volunteers are the heart of Lamaze International!
Lamaze Welcomes All Parents
The journey through pregnancy and parenthood is unique for everyone. Birth is at the core of our practice. Lamaze welcomes and respects all individuals and families on this journey from every corner of the world. Regardless of who you are, where you live, who you love or what language you speak, we want to be with you on your path from pregnancy to parenthood. We believe that birth is transformative for every family, and that everyone deserves a safe and healthy birth experience. Our goal is simple; we want all parents to feel confident, supported and powerful as they ask questions, make decisions and navigate their individual path through birth and parenthood.
Lamaze Philosophy Statements
- Women’s bodies are 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 breastfeeding, and for parents to prepare for parenthood.
- Pregnancy provides an opportunity for parents to begin forming lifelong bonds with their babies.
- A good support system and healthy lifestyle promote a healthy pregnancy, birth and baby.
- The health-care system and care provider can increase or decrease a woman’s confidence in her pregnancy and ability to have a healthy baby.
- Lamaze education helps women to be confident, trust their innate ability to give birth and make informed decisions about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenting.
- Women have an innate ability to give birth.
- Birth is transformative in the life of a family.
- 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 respectful care and continuous support.
- Women have the right to give birth free from routine medical interventions.
- Birth can safely take place in homes, birth centers and hospitals.
- Evidence-based care helps improve birth outcomes.
- Lamaze childbirth education empowers women to make informed choices in healthcare and take responsibility for their health, and to trust their ability to give birth.
- Positive parenting is vital to the physical, emotional and spiritual health of children, parents, and our society as a whole.
- A safe, healthy birth experience provides a strong foundation for parenting.
- 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 throughout life.
- Parents play unique, irreplaceable roles in the lives of their children.
- 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 both their own needs and the needs of their children.