Flora Hommel (1928 – May 15, 2015) was an American childbirth educator and nurse who founded the Childbirth Without Pain Education Association to promote the Lamaze technique for child delivery. She was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 1994.
Flora Hommel | |
|---|---|
| Born | Flora Nadine Suhd 1928 |
| Died | May 15, 2015 (aged 86–87) |
| Education | Wayne State University (BS) |
| Occupation(s) | Childbirth educator, nurse |
| Known for | Founder of Childbirth Without Pain Education Association |
Life and work
editFlora Nadine Suhd was born in 1928 in Detroit, Michigan.[1] She met Bernard Hommel at age 15 and married at age 18, after his return from World War II.[2] After becoming pregnant with her first child, she was fearful of painful labor, and was provided a book on natural childbirth authored by Grantly Dick-Read, and experienced an "easy" delivery based on the techniques in the book.[2][3]
Living in Paris at the time, she studied under Dr. Fernand Lamaze, assisting him with multiple deliveries in 1951.[4] She also trained as a monitirce under Dr. Lamaze.[5] She returned to Detroit in 1953, aiming to educate American women on the benefits of using the Lamaze technique for child delivery.[6] She enrolled at Wayne State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 1958.[7]
After graduating with her nurses degree, Hommel began teaching the Lamaze method out of her home.[7] In 1960, Hommel founded the Childbirth Without Pain Association.[4] In 1964, this organization became the nonprofit Childbirth Without Pain Education Association.[1]
From 1973 to 1990, Hommel served on the Detroit Health Commission. She was also a national board member for the Gray Panthers.[8]
Hommel campaigned for improvements to social security and advocated for a single-payer healthcare system.[2]
Death and legacy
editHommel died on May 15, 2015 of complications from Alzheimer's disease in Detroit.[9]
Hommel served on the national board of the International Childbirth Education Association from 1964 through 1968 in recognition of her "outstanding contributions" in the field of obstetrics.[8] She was also an honorary life member of the American Society for Psychoprophylaxis in Obstetrics.[10]
By 1989, Hommel had taught Lamaze to over 17,000 couples, and coached over 1,000 women through their deliveries.[11]
In 1994, Hommel was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame for her lifelong commitment to "giving women a greater say in their childbirth experience".[8]
References
edit- ^ a b "Flora Hommel". jhsmichigan.org. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ a b c Brohman, Susan (Fall 2011). "A Labor of Love: The Flora Hommel Story" (PDF). Michigan Jewish History. 51. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ Forrest, Susan (January 2, 1980). "This couple relishes life--at both ends". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Hart, Elanor (November 1, 1970). "'Childbirth a joy, not a nightmare'". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ Michaels, Paula A. (March 2014). Lamaze: An International History. OUP USA. p. 134. ISBN 9780199738649. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Roan, Shari (July 21, 1991). "Natural childbirth is supposed to be calm, controlled and relatively pain-free experience. But many couples and instructors find that Lamaze and other methods fall far short of their... : Great Expectations". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Schwartz, Janell (June 17, 1969). "Detroit Woman Explains Importance of European Educational Program". Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Flora Hommel". miwf.org. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ Hommel, Claudia (July 17, 2015). "Flora Hommel, 87: life as a labor of love". People's World. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ "CWP Workshop Friday". The San Bernardino County Sun. June 11, 1970. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ "Lamaze proponent keeps crusade alive". The Saginaw News. April 10, 1989. Retrieved November 17, 2024.