For Dads on the fence about GentleBirth

The following is GentleBirth journey from one of our fantastic GentleBirth Dads. Honest, insightful and genuine. Have a read of what this doting partner and father had to say about their amazing experience following a traumatic first birth. Nadia's testimonial on her experience is also available in the testimonials section of the website.

I'll have to start from the beginning. We just found out we were going to have our second child. This was great news , but there was a huge catch. Due to Nadia's (my partner) blood disorder she was informed that there was a high possibility she would be unable to get an epidural for during labor. Nadia being Nadia didn't worry she just looked extensively into solutions to this problem. After a few months of research, Nadia decided that the best option was called "GentleBirth" .

Nadia attempted to inform me of what this process entailed but me being me (typical man) I barely listened and had the obligatory "whatever you want to do , I will do for you" response. Fast forward to the week before the class. As I work shift work weekends off are rare and wonderful, Nadia reminds me that we are attending this GentleBirth class for the weekend. Needless to say I was somewhat disappointed that this was how I was spending my weekend off. But it was for my partners well being and I can't be selfish thinking about my weekend of doing good nothing.

I arrived at the venue with my own preconceived idea in my head of a bunch of women breathing and talking about their "movements" and the word uterus being used a lot. I sat down in the room got a cup of water and braced myself for 2 days of "being there for my partner". It took literally less than a minute for the ice to be broken by our instructor Lisa. My opinion was completely turned on its head "maybe this won't be so bad".

The 2 day class was nothing but positive , filled with incredible information for me, not just Nadia. Throughout the weekend I felt I was being empowered with the gift of knowledge on a subject which I felt I didn't need to know anything about, "that's for women to know", was my previous attitude on childbirth. I felt unbelievably confident in my role during the childbirth process . I also felt confident in being able to project Nadia's birth preferences to the midwives and doctors involved in the birthing process.

This all came to fruition on the morning of Lola's (my daughter/princess ) birth. At 5.30am Nadia's waters broke. There was no panic, no boiling water, no ripping sheets and absolutely NO rushing straight to the hospital. This was because we were educated by Lisa and knew the television has lied to us all these years about childbirth and the need to rush on the first twinge. Nadia simply woke me up and told me what happened. I woke up and started the day as we had planned. Nadia stayed in the comfort of our home with family in labor until 9:30pm. At that point we went into the hospital.

In the hospital we were assertive to both midwives and doctors as to what Nadia's birth preferences were. Upon arrival Nadia informed them what she wanted and while she was busy (incredibly pushing an 8lb baby out of her with no pain relief) I was educated enough to be assertive in her wishes, and wasn't intimidated by medical terminology. Lola Lynn Hutton was born at 00:05 on the 5th of September 2014. Nadia did this incredible feat with no epidural and was able to complete her birth plan with no difficulties whatsoever. This was due to how we were educated by Lisa at GentleBirth .

That's not even where it ended with Lisa, after Lola was born Nadia struggled to breastfeed Lola, Nadia sought advice from Lisa and with no hesitation Lisa arrived at the house and gave Nadia some wonderful advice and tips ( Lola is 2 now and still gets "boob boob") needless to say the advice worked. I genuinely can not recommend GentleBirth enough it made our previous idea and experience of childbirth null and void and really made it a hugely positive experience. Childbirth doesn't just have to be something to "get through" to have the baby, it can be savored (that's from Nadia not me, what do I know about that). I referred to Lisa earlier in this as our "instructor", now she is a woman both myself and Nadia are proud to call our friend.

Anthony