title: What once was old is new again.
abstract: Through seminars and continuing educational opportunities, recently certified Lamaze childbirth educators beginning their teaching careers have learned of the changes in birth practices over the past 50 years. However, they may not have heard the personal stories about the locations and conditions in which Lamaze educators first taught. In this column, five childbirth educators share their memories of the birthing climate, teaching strategies, class populations, and other aspects of Lamaze childbirth education 50 years ago and how the "old ways" compare with today's classes. Their stories not only provide an important, historical perspective to build on the past and improve future educational opportunities for expectant women and their families but also illustrate Lamaze's ongoing efforts to promote natural, safe, and healthy birth practices.
authors.affiliation: BARBARA A. HOTELLING is Perinatal Nurse Coordinator for the Maternal and Child Health program and a nurse practitioner at the Department of Family Medicine of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill. She has served as President of Lamaze International, President of DONA International, and Chair of the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services.
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hotelling