Go With Friends if Possible. First time expectant moms and dads can benefit by going to a birthing class with other expectant friends. While you will develop some friendships in the class regardless, it is more fun for both mom and dad to have someone with whom to go. Take time to go out afterwards for a healthy snack and debrief.
Develop a Birth Plan. With the information from the class and in concert with your OB-GYN, develop a specific birth plan to guide your choices during labor and delivery. The birth plan can include issues like when and how medication will be used, the level of fetal monitoring, how your wife wants to be cared for postpartum, and a variety of other concerns. Many childbirth classes will involve the preparation of a birth plan in the curriculum.
Make Note of the Stages of Pregnancy. For expectant dads, the things that happen to their partners during pregnancy can be a real surprise if they aren’t prepared. Issues like the nesting instinct, cravings, mood swings and attitudes toward sex can be a challenge. These topics are generally covered in childbirth classes.
Perfect Your Coaching Skills. Even though we had been through the classes and I thought I knew what to expect, I was not well prepared for my wife’s “transition” in her first labor. She was pretty demanding and nothing I did was right. In fact, my feelings were hurt a little. I know now it wasn’t intentional, but I guess it was one area of my pre-birth education on which I didn’t focus enough. Read the manual and practice techniques at home. Be prepared to not only coach but serve your partner through labor and delivery.
Practice, Practice, Practice. Most childbirth classes will have homework assignments. Don’t ignore those, but take the time to go through them. The process of labor and delivery can be a scary time for dads and moms; the more automatic your responses, the easier it will be to cope with the unknowns.
Conclusion
Childbirth is an awesome experience for a couple, but the mom and the dad will have very different experiences. Dads, your job is to be the supportive partner and to make her as comfortable as possible through the experience. Sharing in the experience of the birth of a child is one of the most memorable in life, and a good childbirth class experience will smooth the process and make it a pleasant and amazing memory.
