Only a few generations ago, men were left to pace the waiting room anxiously anticipating the birth of their children. Times have changed. But many men are still at a loss when it comes to knowing what their role is in the birthing room. 'Fathers at Birth' shows you how to transform yourself into the physical, emotional, and spiritual guide your partner needs you to be by providing you with a clear understanding of your role during labor and birth; simple concepts, tips, and tools you need to be a confident birth partner; how to touch and talk to a laboring woman; insight and skills needed to be a companion who makes a difference; and much, much more!
Fathers at Birth
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Editorial Reviews
Review
I applaud Ms. St. John on her enormous effort; she has taken a lifetime of experience as a mother, doula, yoga instructor, birth coach, and a birthing woman, and rolled them into a clear, easy-to-read guide for the most important attendant at the birth: the father. --Cathy Parisi, MSN, CNM, Director of Connecticut Childbirth and Women's Center<br /><br />Rose St. John has combined her immense amount of experience with assisting and teaching couples into a practical, down-to-earth, no-nonsense guide for fathers. . . . I am excited to see such a complete compendium directed at fathers, to know that it will help so many women have better and more pleasurable birth experiences. --Barbara Harper, author of 'Gentle Birth Choices' and Director of Waterbirth International<br /><br />Rose St. John's experience over the years has equipped her with a unique insight into the birthing process that can ease the practical concerns and enrich the memories of childbirth. --Cherry Brandstater, M.D.
I applaud Ms. St. John on her enormous effort; she has taken a lifetime of experience as a mother, doula, yoga instructor, birth coach, and a birthing woman, and rolled them into a clear, easy-to-read guide for the most important attendant at the birth: the father. --Cathy Parisi, MSN, CNM, Director of Connecticut Childbirth and Women's Center
Rose St. John has combined her immense amount of experience with assisting and teaching couples into a practical, down-to-earth, no-nonsense guide for fathers. . . . I am excited to see such a complete compendium directed at fathers, to know that it will help so many women have better and more pleasurable birth experiences. --Barbara Harper, author of 'Gentle Birth Choices' and Director of Waterbirth International
I applaud Ms. St. John on her enormous effort; she has taken a lifetime of experience as a mother, doula, yoga instructor, birth coach, and a birthing woman, and rolled them into a clear, easy-to-read guide for the most important attendant at the birth: the father. --Cathy Parisi, MSN, CNM, Director of Connecticut Childbirth and Women's Center
Rose St. John has combined her immense amount of experience with assisting and teaching couples into a practical, down-to-earth, no-nonsense guide for fathers. . . . I am excited to see such a complete compendium directed at fathers, to know that it will help so many women have better and more pleasurable birth experiences. --Barbara Harper, author of 'Gentle Birth Choices' and Director of Waterbirth International
About the Author
Rose St. John has spent the past 25 years teaching and guiding women and couples through pregnancy and birth.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I would strongly suggest this book, not only to fathers and partners going into birth for the first time, but also to first-time birthing mothers and even couples with birthing experience. Great information and pain-management tips for all the stages of labor. A really well-written book on the process of birth, this includes information on different physical positions a woman can take and how her partner can assist her most successfully. It has chapters on the hormones and physical changes that occur during labor, what to expect from a woman in the different stages of labor, and how to communicate effectively with a woman in the labor trance. It has a very fair and balanced section on the pros and cons of epidurals and other pain medications as well as situations you may encounter depending on whether you are birthing at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital. I like that it gives very concrete examples of things that a labor partner can do to prepare before, during, and after the birth. The tone of the book, directed at fathers, is not condescending, nor is it too abstract or spiritual. It has to be very difficult to translate mental relaxation techniques to the written page without sounding too "hippy-dippy," but I think the author has done a great job of that, without denying the truth that birth is a profoundly emotional event that demands more than just intellect. I'm glad, as a woman approaching birth, to have read this myself, and I have no qualms about sharing this book with my very rational husband. This is the book I've been looking to bring to him.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By S. Bergen
Format:Paperback
Looks like I am the first guy to post a review, but I bet I won't be the last. This book is wonderful and powerful. And in my opinion, a must read for any expecting father. As a partner, you will really benefit even if this is your second or third pregnancy. It answers every question you may have, and it gives you the confidence in your role as the father. And the best thing is that even though this book is directed at men, it has tons of great stuff for the mother that isn't covered in some of the other popular parents-to-be books. And lastly, my favorite thing about the book is that it really is a shared experience. There are parts you will want to read and reread alone, but most of it you will want to read together with your partner, talk about what you learned, and that in itself will bring you closer to the pregnancy and make you an even stronger couple.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a nurse-midwife with 20+ years of clinical experience, I recommend this book very highly to pregnant couples, and also to doulas (professionals who provide support to the laboring couple). Rose St. John's approach to labor and birth combines the practical, the spiritual, and common sense. During the most beautiful, satisfying, safe, and healthy births I have attended, the laboring couples used many of the techniques St. John describes. Rose St. John has a place, with Penny Simkin and Sheila Kitzinger, on my list of very best writers about birth.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Much Needed Guide for Fathers
Fathers at Birth fills a gap in childbirth literature. Standing out from the "new fathers should only be spoken to in sports analogies" pack of generic baby prep books and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Amy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!
I'm a first time father and I found the book to be very helpful and supportive. It opened me up to what my wife is going through and further helped me with questions I had... Read more
Published 6 months ago by David Romero
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's About Time!
Review by Toni Rakestraw. When I first picked this book up, I was excited to see something written expressly for dads. Read more
Published on February 19, 2010 by Toni Rakestraw
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best birthing book for fathers (and mothers, too)!
I read Fathers at Birth while I was pregnant with my second child and although I had already been through one birth, the book had a lot of great information. Read more
Published on September 22, 2009 by S Brakken
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT resource!
This is a truly wonderful book. Clearly and insightfully written (with beautiful supporting photographs), it empowers Dads with a bounty of tools they can use as they support... Read more
Published on September 15, 2009 by Camille Mulchi
5.0 out of 5 stars
My son loved this book
I bought this book (one of many) for my son, as he prepared for the birth of his first child. It was one of his favorites.
Published on September 2, 2009 by Lisa Jordan
