title: Teaching normal birth interactively.
abstract: IN THIS COLUMN, THE AUTHOR PROVIDES EXAMPLES OF TEACHING STRATEGIES THAT CHILDBIRTH EDUCATORS MAY UTILIZE TO ILLUSTRATE EACH OF THE SIX CARE PRACTICES SUPPORTED BY LAMAZE INTERNATIONAL TO PROMOTE NORMAL BIRTH: labor begins on its own, freedom of movement throughout labor, continuous labor support, no routine interventions, non-supine (e.g., upright or side-lying) positions for birth, and no separation of mother and baby with unlimited opportunity for breastfeeding.
authors.affiliation: B arbara H otelling is an independent childbirth educator and doula in Rochester Hills, Michigan. She currently serves as president of Lamaze International and as a faculty member of Lamaze. She has also served as president of Doulas of North America (DONA) and chair of the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS).
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hotelling