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Birth Stories > Dads at Birth

For some couples the transition into parenthood is filled with wonderful, exciting memories, and for others filled with anxiety and stress. Most men and women will experience a mix of emotions as they move through the series of changes which is the rite of passage to parenthood – pre-conception, pregnancy, labour, birth and the newborn period.

The wisest advice I can give for couples contemplating the journey to parenthood is to (with an open mind) read everything, ask millions of questions, listen to as many friends stories as possible, and then finally make decisions based on your intuition as to what seems right for you and your set of circumstances.

There is no doubt having a first baby is one of the most significantly life changing event in any person’s life, so it’s worth spending time mulling over some of the important concepts beforehand, such as who will you select to help support you through this process? It’s really important to gather a good support network to assist you, such as: family and friends, a general practitioner, a private midwife, public or private hospital, selecting between delivery suite or the birth centre, a naturopath, a chiropractor, a childbirth and parenting educator, the local breastfeeding association, just to name a few.

Many couples find the experience of pregnancy more than they expected both in terms of adjustment and the feeling of thrill, excitement, anticipation and wonder.

The current generation of expecting parents often describe themselves as ‘pioneers’ in comparison to the previous generation, as they have so many new and wonderful options the previous generation may not have been able to select. An example of this is the option of having their partner not only being present at the birth, but also very involved and supportive both physically and emotionally. Many men currently expecting their first child when asked, “Was your father at your birth?” reply emphatically “No!”, and for the rare one who says “Yes!” they usually haven’t had much of a description from their father as to what occurred – you could say for previous generation’s it’s all a bit of a blank.

Most grown men these days have been taught by their fathers how to mow the lawn, how to change a tyre on the car, how to BBQ steak and sausages, but can’t confidently turn to their Dad and ask expectantly, “Dad how do you support a woman during labour?” It’s a question that might possibly turn up a blank.

However, for the next generation it will be completely different. The vast majority of dads-to-be will be able to say “Ah well you’re asking me something that takes me back to one of the most incredible days of your mum’s and my life...on the day you were born and, by the way, because you were our first, it was a bit of a long day and night actually, we spent hours in the shower with me rubbing your mum’s back for comfort, and then she decided to rest her legs as they were getting tired, so she laid in the bath under the midwife’s instruction and then next thing she pushed you out in the bath, it was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen in my life, truly it was like witnessing a miracle! And then all of a sudden I remembered from our birth classes that if I wanted to receive the baby, and be the first person to hold you, to mention it to the midwife, which I did, and so she guided me easily into how to receive you. It was amazing I have never felt anything so soft and vulnerable in my life!  I’ll never forget it, I looked up at your mum and she had tears in her beautiful eyes, and she was crying and I passed you up to her arms and she held you gently and quietly talked to you and cuddled you for a long time. Son, I hope you have an experience as wonderful as that when you meet your first child for the first time. It’s a memory your mother and I cherish together, and always will.”

 

I frequently hear from the dads-to-be attending my courses that, “I just don’t want to be useless to my partner during the labour and the birth, but I don’t know what to do?” I respond with many ideas and suggestions throughout the course, and I always recommend couples pick and choose what suits them best, as there are a wonderful variety of choices available to be able to create your own positive and memorable birth experience.

Underpinning all of my work in my classes is the philosophy of calmbirth® training, and that is encouraging, supporting and guiding family bonding between a couple as they prepare for the birth of their baby. To focus on the role and the value of each parent, the importance of mothers, and equally the importance of fathers in the life of their unborn and newborn baby. With this in mind, by encouraging enjoyment rather than stress and fear during the period of the pregnancy and birth, creates the space for a more conducive atmosphere for good solid family bonding. Relaxation, joy, hope, courage, determination, togetherness creates good strong loving relationships. In a nutshell that’s what it’s all about.

My Transition into Parenthood course covers birth and baby care aspects in a very practical way whilst the calmbirth® course guides the “thinking and feeling” preparation, and focuses on the important skills for labour. Plenty of couples prefer to do both courses for a well rounded sense of readiness.

Whatever steps you take towards childbirth, look for the things that both inform and nurture both of you in your transition to parenthood. It’s my passion and something I know creates the best outcomes for new parents.

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2011 dates courses available now to see them scroll all the way down...

Currently all dates on the list below, still do have places available. Updates and changes occur daily. 
Julie reserves the right to alter dates if required. Should you bring partner?    yes 

Dates are removed from the website as the course fills up. Scroll right down.

Pre-payment is required to secure your position in any of the courses.

Once you've selected the dates you prefer, you can either ring Julie or book in securely via our website.

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Telephone Julie if you need to book in, in a hurry, or if it seems there is nothing before your due date to see if she can help at the "last minute" as she normally keeps a cancellation list, so if someone cancels you could replace them. 

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Trying to decide if you need to do one or both courses?

Whether it's your first, second or subsequent baby there is no doubt doing both courses is the best way to prepare. That's why Julie offers adiscount of $50 to $100 for the combined booking.

The two courses do not repeat each other, but they do complement and mesh together brilliantly. calmbirth® is ideal emotional preparation, and the Transition into Parenthood course focuses on practicalities of labour and looking after a newborn. Both courses combined will provide you with the most thorough preparation and a great discount combo booking price. It's probably best to do the calmbirth® course first, as it's recommended to do it earlier rather than later, to have plenty of time to practise therelaxation breathing.  Scroll through the dates below.

                       

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Condensed Birth and Baby Courses - 2 x Saturdays 9am to 4:30pm only $350/couple

(2xSat) 8 and 15 January, 2011
(2xSat) 5 and 12 February, 2011
(2xSat) 5 and 12 March, 2011
(2xSat) 2 and 9 April, 2011
(2xSat) 7 and 14 May, 2011
(2xSat) 4 and 11 June, 2011
(2xSat) 2 and 9 July, 2011
(2xSat) 6 and 13 August, 2011
(2xSat) 3 and 10 September, 2011
(2xSat) 1 and 8 October, 2011
(2xSat) 5 and 12 November, 2011
(2xSat) 3 and 10 December, 2011

More information about the 2 x Saturday Condensed Workshop 

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Super Condensed Sunday Birth and Baby Courses - 1 day - 9am to 4pm only $300/couple

Sunday 6 February, 2011        
Sunday 13 March 2011
Sunday 3 April, 2011
Sunday 1 May, 2011
Sunday 12 June, 2011
Sunday 3 July, 2011
Sunday 7 August, 2011
Sunday 11 September, 2011
Sunday 2 October, 2011
Sunday 6 November, 2011
Sunday 4 December, 2011

More information about the One Day Super Condensed Workshop

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calmbirth® courses 2 x Saturdays - daytime 9.30am to 4pm only $350/couple - commence at around 25-35 weeks -

(Sat/Sun) 22 and 23 January, weekend, 2011
(Satx2)  19 and 26 February, 2011                    
(Satx2)  19 and 26 March 2011
(Satx2)  16 and 30 April, 2011 (not during Easter one week off)
(Satx2)  18 and 25 June, 2011
(Satx2)  16 and 23 July, 2011 
(Sat/Sun) 30 and 31 July, weekend 2011
(Satx2)  20 and 27 August, 2011
(Satx2)  17 and 24 September, 2011
(Satx2)  15 and 22 October, 2011
(Satx2)  19 and 26 November, 2011
(Sat/Sun) 17 and 18 December weekend, 2011

calmbirth® courses Sundays x 2 daytime 9.30am to 4pm only $350/couple - commence at around 25 - 35 weeks of pregnancy -

(Sunx2) 22 and 23 January,weekend, 2011
(Sat/Sun)  22 and 23 January, 2011
(Sunx2)  27 February and 6 March, 2011                            
(Sunx2)  20 and 27 March, 2011
(Sunx2)  10 and 17 April, 2011
(Sunx2)  19 and 26 June, 2011
(Sunx2)  17 and 24 July, 2011
(Sat/Sun) 30 and 31 July, Weekend, 2011
(Sunx2)  28 August and 4 September, 2011
(Sunx2)  18 and 25 September, 2011
(Sunx2)  16 and 23 October, 2011
(Sunx2)  13 and 20 November, 2011
(Sunx2) 27 November and 4 December, 2011
(Sat/Sun) 17 and 18 December, weekend 2011

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Read more... Birth Stories

Wendy's Birth Story
Allison's Birth Story
Melissa's Birth Story
Megan's Birth Story
Nicole's Birth Story
Marieke's Birth Story
Belinda's Birth Story
Pia's Birth Story
Emma's Birth Story