Birth Preparation for Dads (also known as "blokes and babies")
Not all men want to come along to the weekend workshop or 6 week course. Many husbands get dragged through the door kicking and screaming and wondering how we could possibly spend 12 hours learning about having a baby when in the movies it only takes about 5 minutes.
The fact is that they want to be able to help but they just don't know how. In many cases they have been influenced by the same movies and images that have put fear into you - only they want to protect you from what they percieve as a long and painful process, or even better be called in when it is all over.
TIme and again, the feedback that I get from the men after the class has reassured me that they do actually want to be there and that they really want to be able to support and help you through labour in the best possible way. They all feel much better when they have the tools and the knowledge to do so.
Even so , there are always a few who stubbornly refuse to come along to the classes or who conveniently have business or sporting arrangements planned.
So I found another way around it. For those of you whose husbands fall into that category, we now have another option. Once a month, I run a simple, man friendly birth preparation class in Dukes Bar in the Crown Plaza. While they sip on a beverage of their choice and tuck into a good steak dinner, I give them the low down on how best they can support you during labour and prepare them for the day it happens in a fun and light hearted way. It's a great opportunity for the men to get together and friendships are forged while they learn massage techniques, how to time contractions, when they should think about taking you to the hospital and NOT to panic if your water breaks.
Contact me for dates and rates or if you have a group of dads who would like to attend together.
The fact is that they want to be able to help but they just don't know how. In many cases they have been influenced by the same movies and images that have put fear into you - only they want to protect you from what they percieve as a long and painful process, or even better be called in when it is all over.
TIme and again, the feedback that I get from the men after the class has reassured me that they do actually want to be there and that they really want to be able to support and help you through labour in the best possible way. They all feel much better when they have the tools and the knowledge to do so.
Even so , there are always a few who stubbornly refuse to come along to the classes or who conveniently have business or sporting arrangements planned.
So I found another way around it. For those of you whose husbands fall into that category, we now have another option. Once a month, I run a simple, man friendly birth preparation class in Dukes Bar in the Crown Plaza. While they sip on a beverage of their choice and tuck into a good steak dinner, I give them the low down on how best they can support you during labour and prepare them for the day it happens in a fun and light hearted way. It's a great opportunity for the men to get together and friendships are forged while they learn massage techniques, how to time contractions, when they should think about taking you to the hospital and NOT to panic if your water breaks.
Contact me for dates and rates or if you have a group of dads who would like to attend together.
