QuestionHi, I would like to know how important is the father in a childbirth/homebirth process and its role in it.
Thanks a lot.
AnswerThe father plays a very important dual role in childbirth.
First, he is the coach for the mother. He is there during pregnancy to help her prepare, to help learn what relaxes her and what takes her pain away. He can recognize better than anyone when she is stressed, when she is focused, when she is in pain. During labor, he can provide gentle suggestions for positions, massage, counterpressure, or even just a lap to lean against or strong arms to hold the mother up.
Second, the father is the intermediary between the mother and the rest of the world. No matter where you are birthing or who your attendants are, the father can handle the majority of the communications, leaving the mother in peace to handle her job, birthing her baby.
For more information about husband-coached childbirth, visit the Bradley childbirth website at www.bradleybirth.com.
