The role of psychological mechanisms in preparation for childbirth

Presents a brief history of the development of the Lamaze childbirth preparation training regimen and critically examines the few empirical studies that have been conducted. Because explanations for the efficacy of the preparation, if it exists, are equivocable, literature on the explicit components of the training (e.g., respiration techniques, conditioned relaxation, cognitive restructuring) in situations other than child delivery are reviewed and their implications for the Lamaze method discussed. However, because there exist several, more implicit factors that may affect the type of child delivery a prepared woman experiences, the literature concerning social comparison, the effects of commitment and conformity, perceived control, and endorphin secretion are also discussed as they may apply to psychoprophylactic preparation. (113 ref)