Father's Day!

Genesis Clinic would like to congratulate all new fathers and fathers-to-be this month of June! Remember when your baby is born, so is a father ...

Article on The Important Role of the Father During Birth and After Birth
This is dedicated to all the beautiful men who want to take part in the birth of their children but who have no idea what they can do to contribute to the experience of birth.

Husbands have regained much lost ground and become active in the labour support role. This is a vitally important role as no one on earth can fill the place of the husband to his wife who is experiencing such a life changing event: the birth of their child.

It is a truly intimate experience that solidifies the bonding between husband and wife in relation to the entire pregnancy and birth process. It has now come full circle: the conception of the child, the months of pregnancy, the expectation of labor, the experience of birth, the joy of new life.

During labour the husband can offer much support and effective encouragement to his laboring wife:

The husband is able to give labour support just by his physical presence whether that be someone to lean on, someone to hold her up, someone to support her while she takes a hot shower, someone to give encouraging words. The husband coached childbirth is empowering and encouraging during difficult, hard labour.

The husband offers a tremendous amount of relief from pain to his wife whether it be from a lower back massage to relieve back pain, counter pressure on the lower back during a contraction, massaging feet and hands to aid in relaxation, or holding his wife’s hand for reassurance.

The presence of the husband gives his wife a peace and comfort by knowing that she is protected and loved.
Husbands should be encouraged to take an active role in the birth of his children. Natural childbirth classes are an excellent way for the husband to become more involved in pregnancy and childbirth for first time dads. Many times the husband would like to help during labour but doesn’t know what exactly he can do. Natural childbirth training will give the husband and wife an incredible amount of knowledge about the birthing process but also practical how to suggestions on the logistical aspects of labour.

Husbands: You play a vital support role during labour. Involve yourself and interact with your wife. It will give her the confidence she needs to complete the work of labour and birth. Do not be offended if she yells at you or puts a fist in your arm or says, “This is all your fault!” ! Sometimes labour can be so overwhelming, you may be honoured to take the brunt of her frustrations. Hang in there. Give her physical support and emotional encouragement. This provides a much needed security during a time when your wife/partner feels most vulnerable.

No one other than the mother is more personally and profoundly affected by the baby's birth than you are. As the mother's lover and the baby's father, you are connected to them like no other. Your role-to provide stability and refuge-is unique to you. Your presence profoundly influences your partner and how she navigates through labour. As a vigilant attendant, you offer your partner tremendous refuge and have the power to alter how labour and birth unfold. Because the man's role can make such a critical difference, it is important men have access to the preparatory attention they need to fulfill their role.

Make eye contact with your baby immediately at birth in order to maximize the opportunity for LOVE to activate within your own neurobiology and that of your baby’s. This is an extremely important suggestion and goes for both you and your partner.

The moment of birth offers a unique window of opportunity for the activation of love for all family members. The particular neuro-chemical soup that is available during birth (i.e., oxytocin, endorphins, and other hormones of love and well-being) will not be available in the same way at any other moment during life.

Immediate eye contact with your child can support the activation of the neurobiology of love within you and your child, which will allow you to cement the bond between you and lay the groundwork for the preservation of love in your family forever.

On a fundamental human level, babies need to look into the eyes of love immediately upon their arrival. This experience would happen naturally if birth were occurring in a gentle, loving environment, such as Genesis Clinic.

Similarly, it is extremely important for you to hold your child and place your child skin-to-skin on yours or your partner’s body. This will activate your baby’s sensory mechanisms to produce the neuro-chemicals of love, which will create an imprint of well-being that can last a lifetime.

Cut your baby’s umbilical cord until well after the cord has stopped pulsing. Better yet, cut the baby’s umbilical cord yourself.

When babies first emerge from the womb, they are not breathing. Instead, they are receiving all of the oxygen they need from the placental blood as it pulses through the umbilical cord into their tiny little bodies. When their umbilical cord is immediately clamped or cut, the baby’s oxygen supply is abruptly cut off, forcing him/her to gasp for breath in fear for his/her life.

Here’s to all the dads who plan to enact their full power and potency during birth!!! Our planet needs you desperately and the women and children soon to give birth thank you. May your days of enlightened fatherhood bring you much joy and the love in your family last forever.