Photo by Carrie Van Snellenberg
We hosted our first Prenatal Workshop for Dads this past Sunday, and it was a great success. I’m so thankful to Louise Fenwick, Registered Acupuncturist, for being my partner in teaching these workshops on prenatal preparation.
The idea for this workshop stemmed from seeing something missing in typical Vancouver prenatal classes. As a birth doula, I’ve made an effort to explore the various options for prenatal classes in Vancouver. I’ve observed a Lamaze Childbirth Education series through Douglas Community College, a Birthing From Within prenatal class series, and am currently observing a round of Hypnobabies classes.
All of Vancouver’s prenatal class options have their individual strengths. One thing I’ve noticed, however, is that there is definitely room for focused information on how men can prepare to be supportive during labour.
Our Prenatal Workshop for Dads is designed to be taken as an affordable compliment to your typical prenatal class, .
The workshop is designed to be hands-on, quick and to-the-point, leaving dads armed with practical information. Both parents leave feeling dad is prepared to support both mom and himself during birth. We discuss comfort measures for birth, among other specific tools to allow your birth to go as smoothly as possible. We also do a practical section on breastfeeding, and how dad can help.
The feedback for our childbirth preparation workshop couldn’t have been better. One of our students, a nurse and doula herself, said:
“Jessica, I just wanted to thank you so much for the workshop last night. It was just what [we] were looking for. We both feel so much better about labour now. In case you couldn’t tell [my husband] is not in to anything too alternative and the concrete nature of the material was great for him. Thought he would complain all the way home about having to go but instead he kept talking about all he had learned.“
I am excited to continue offering this Prenatal Class For Dads here in Vancouver. If you are interested in signing up, please contact us for information on our next dates!
Call 604-700-4115 for more information or to register.