BIRTHING FROM WITHIN is continually evolving and experimenting. After the buzz created by our article about initiating fathers in our February newsletter, we are excited to present our newest cutting-edge project: Fathers Mentoring Fathers. The first Forum for Fathers is being launched at the Introductory Mentor/Doula Workshop in Los Angeles, September 19-21, 2008. Click here for info and to register

For most of human history, men did not take part in childbirth. It was a radical change to bring fathers into the birth room a generation ago. Here's the problem: a man is expected to be there for his wife in labor and postpartum, but while he may have learned about birth physiology and a few "support techniques," he probably didn't learn the two most important things: (1) what his woman really needs from HIM in labor and postpartum, and (2) how to care for his own emotional well-being in labor and as he grows into fatherhood. BIRTHING FROM WITHIN has long recognized these two essential pieces, and for two decades we have been including them in our ground-breaking "Special Class for Fathers and Partners."

While this special class has been very popular with both women and men, the emphasis has been on helping men learn to support their partner in labor and postpartum. This was a valuable first step, and now BIRTHING FROM WITHIN is ready to go further and deeper!

The emerging vision for our new program, Fathers Mentoring Fathers, goes beyond labor support tips. Expectant and new fathers will receive guidance and support from experienced fathers as they transition from being a partner and lover to being a father and co-parent, and to negotiate the postpartum changes in their relationship.  Fathers mentoring fathers will transcend the birth day, and positively affect couples' changing relationships, as well as their own individual growth, long after the baby has come in to the world. Our program is unique because we are not focusing solely on the day of birth, but on the life-long changes that pregnancy and birth bring to individuals and couples.

 Sample Topics for Fathers' Class:

 ♦ What a pregnant and birthing woman really needs from her man (it may surprise you!)

 ♦ Protecting the birth space, his woman and their baby

 ♦ Changing relationships through the child-bearing year

 ♦ Sex and intimacy during pregnancy and postpartum

 ♦ Growing up: what it means to be a father

 ♦ Emotional needs of expectant fathers

For this new program to live up to its potential, it needs to be co-created both by the women of BIRTHING FROM WITHIN and by the fathers themselves. Here is our plan for the Forum for Fathers:

(1) Fathers interested in mentoring other fathers must attend one of our Introductory Workshops to learn about mentoring and the BIRTHING FROM WITHIN philosophy and processes.

(2) After attending the three-day workshop (with or without their partners), fathers will meet with workshop facilitators to answer questions and dialogue about the emerging vision of this new program.

(3) We will continue the dialogue and visioning on follow-up conference calls. More Father Forums may be scheduled (in conjunction with Introductory BFW Workshops), depending on interest.