Avenue du Docteur Lamaze

Fernand Lamaze. The name echoes through the halls of childbirth history. Here, on Avenue du Docteur Lamaze, we celebrate the man who revolutionized childbirth practices worldwide. Avenue du Docteur Lamaze is a pedestrian street nestled in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. It starts at 36, Rue Riquet and ends at 10, Rue Archereau. Created in 1970 as part of the Îlot Riquet development, it originally bore the provisional name “Voie AF/19”. It wasn’t until 1974 that it received its current name, honoring Dr. Fernand Lamaze (1891-1957). Lamaze introduced the psychoprophylactic method of painless childbirth to France. This method, observed by Lamaze during a 1951 visit to the Soviet Union, was based on conditioned response. It aimed to alleviate childbirth pain through education, relaxation techniques, and controlled breathing. Interestingly, the method originated primarily with Soviet psychotherapist I.Z. Velvovskii of Kharkov, Ukraine. Here on Avenue du Docteur Lamaze, dedicated to this French obstetrician, we remember his contribution. He championed a method rooted in Soviet science, transforming the birthing experience for countless women. Although the Lamaze technique gained popularity, Lamaze himself faced criticism. Some viewed his approach as over-disciplinary and even anti-feminist. Critics point to his ranking of women’s childbirth performance based on their reactions to pain. This quiet, pedestrian avenue holds a story of innovation, adaptation, and controversy. It serves as a reminder of the complex history of childbirth practices and the lasting impact of one doctor’s journey from Paris to the Soviet Union and back.