What is a Father or Partner to do?

BIRTHING FROM WITHIN^® classes encourage fathers and partners to be present in a loving, gentle way, supporting the mother by sensing her needs and offering suggestions. It’s not so much what you know or what you do that makes a difference, it’s just being there and believing in her.

Fathers and partners often say that their primary intention for taking a childbirth class is to learn how to make their partner (the mother) comfortable in labor.

In a BIRTHING FROM WITHIN Childbirth Class, fathers and partners practice the pain-coping techniques right along with the mothers, so they will know how much concentration it takes to use these pain -coping practices in labor. They also discover how to guide her or remind her to use them in labor. They learn how to help her soften and open through touch and massage, what to do if she does “freak out,” and many other practical tips.  

But the most important thing fathers and birth companions learn is that trying to make a laboring mother comfortable or relaxed may actually send her a message that she is not relaxing enough or is not "doing it right." It serves everyone better when fathers and partners get comfortable with the natural intensity and expression or release of pain in labor.

Become a Guardian of the Birth Place
It is difficult for a laboring mother to be defensive and trusting at the same time. How can she be opening to labor while also guarding the door? If the birth space does not allow a mother to feel safe and unselfconscious as she descends into Laborland, her hormones will be adversely affected and the course of labor could be complicated. So, every birth room and every laboring mother needs a guardian of the birth place, and sometimes a birth room bouncer to handle visitors!

In our Special Class for Fathers & Partners, you will learn the secrets to success to be a supportive, compassionate Birth Guardian. In addition, fathers and partners often feel invisible in the birth process. Your Mentor will help you prepare to take care of yourself during labor and postpartum.  Much more special resources for fathers and birth partners can be found in our books: BIRTHING FROM WITHIN (especially chapters 26-32, 40,41) and Keepsake Journal (especially Section Four: Birth From the Father's Perspective).

You may also want to find out how having a Doula can help you and your partner before, during, and after the birth.