Helpful Resources for Birth Partners
I’ve had a couple of birth partners ask for recommendations of things that might help to support their prep for birth and beyond, so I put the question out to birth partners from my community and also to fellow practitioners and developed this list as a starting point for those who are looking for some perspectives or insights from others. If you have any other valuable resources you think should be added please let me know.
Books:
The Birth Partner by Penny Simki
Men at Birth by David Vernon.
Cheers to Childbirth by Lucy Bloom.
Men, Love & Birth by a male UK midwife (Mark Harris)
Birth With Confidence - Rhea Dempsey
The Secret Life of the Unborn Child by John Kelly and Thomas R. Verny
The Fourth Trimester - Kimberly Ann Johnson
Birth Without Fear: The Judgment-Free Guide to Taking Charge of Your Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum - January Harshe
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering - Sarah Buckley (don’t let the name fool you into thinking its just for “mothers” this book is jam packed with tonnes of incredible information for empowered decision making.
@the.father.hood book is also pretty inspiring
Websites:
Dads Guide to Pregnancy - https://raisingchildren.net.au/pregnancy/pregnancy-for-partners
Grown-ups Fathers - Well-being, early days of parenting, services & support
Podcasts/Viewing:
‘Conversations with Kat and Tully’ - I know they have conversations about conscious parenting & birth etc from the partners perspective and Tully has also recently released a new podcast called ‘Present Father Project"‘
DADpod- Direct Advice for Dads. They talk about experiencing life as a dad and interview dads with all different experiences
Australian Birth Stories have conducted some interviews with Dad’s you can see the collation of episodes here and also episodes with same-sex couples discussing their experiences here.
Evidence Based Birth - Episode 145 – Fatherhood and Advocacy in Birth with JaMichael Perryman
Daddy Squared - The Gay Dads Podcast - This podcast is hosted by dads Yan and Alex, fathers to young twins. They bring in expert voices (who just happen to be gay dads themselves) to speak on topics relevant to parenting, particularly issues that face the LGBTQ community
The Gayest Show on Birth - Tune in for weekly episodes as moms Karyne and Kate navigate and narrate their journey as moms to baby Ari. It’s worth going back to past episodes to hear all about their reciprocal IVF journey as well.
Documentaries: “The Business of Being Born” “The Face of Birth”
Birth Preparation:
Beers & Bubs - They provide education sessions at the pub for Dad’s and they also have a blog addressing different topics on their website.
Online Hypnobirthing Classes with yours truly - not to toot my own horn but time and time again I have heard just how empowered, confident and excited birth partners were to move into their role in the birth space and to support their partner through labour and beyond after completing our classes together. All classes are taught live via zoom, so you can get cosy in your lounge room and have access no matter where you’re located.
MindfullyLoved eWorkbook - It includes questions, visualizations and reflections in preparing and strengthening your relationship with yourself and your partners.
All Genders Birth Class - provided by Moss the Doula who provides trans & queer centered doula services.
Support/Community
www.sms4dads.com.au - Great text service to keep them up to date with partners pregnancy, how to transition to being a father or life as a father to be and mental health check-in.
Darren Mattock runs Becoming Dad, he has a page as well as a private group for dads only.
Trans Fertility Co. - Resource Library addressing important topics surrounding fertility, birth and parenthood for the trans community.
Trans & Gestating Support Group - Supportive zoom meet ups.
Instagram Accounts
Don’t Forget Dads - @dontforgetdads
