Lamaze International is a leading organisation providing natural childbirth training for mothers-to-be. In this revised second edition of The Official Lamaze Guide the authors explain why childbirth has become riskier in the west, leading to a shocking increase in maternal mortality rates, incidences of postnatal depression and the number of babies admitted to newborn intensive care units. To increase the health and safety of childbirth, this book recommends following the six Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices and starting childbirth education as early in pregnancy as possible.