Press Release - Birthing Dads

Becoming a dad for the first time is exciting, challenging and if we are truthful a little scary. The Birthing Dads Advanced Program is designed to prepare men for a smoother transition to fatherhood.  The online program, released in May 2021 guides men to a greater understanding of pregnancy, birth and early parenting. Featuring interviews with some of Australia’s leading perinatal health professionals the evidence based program has the potential to significantly improve birth and family outcomes by encouraging fathers to be more involved in preparing for the birth of their children. 

In Australia fathers attend 95% of births but are rarely given any targeted information or guidance about their role (1). Many first time fathers experience fear and helplessness because their protective instincts are challenged by the primal, all encompassing, nature of childbirth (2). "We're throwing them in the deep end with little to no understanding of what to expect" Birthing Dads Founder Steven Kennedy says. The shortage of maternity care staff means he could suddenly be in a primary support role for which he's had no training. If the birth suite were a work place this would be an offence under our OHS laws.  

"When a father sees his partner in such distress, he can become fearful. He understandably worries for her safety " Kennedy says. "Unfortunately this can interfere with the process of birth if he gets too hyped up". Fathers who can't manage or suppress their fear become adrenalised. Their heightened state can transfer to their partner which causes the labour to slow down or halt. This is a gift from our primitive ancestry and is commonly referred to our fight or flight response.  

"If her partner is freaking out its very difficult for her to surrender to the state required for safe birth" Kennedy says. "A huge part of the Birthing Dads Advanced Program is helping blokes understand what to expect so they are not overwhelmed".

Mr Kennedy believes if men knew more about birth they could focus more attention on mothers and babies. Kennedy would love to see a future where men are more informed and supportive and begin to speak about birth between themselves, providing advice and support to each other on how best to navigate the challenges all fathers face.   

“Imagine if there was widespread deeply seated cultural awareness of the inherent value of fathers at birth” Kennedy says. He believes that dads are "An extra pair of hands that, up until now, has not been fully utilised. If we enlist dads help in maternity care there is a strong likelihood that interventions rates will be reduced" 

The Birthing Dads Advanced Program is a 9 episode video series developed with the assistance of the PREPARE Foundation – a health promotion charity established to engage fathers in perinatal care.  

The 4 hr evidence based program, presented by Birthing Dads Founder Steven Kennedy, covers the essential information that every father should know before attending the birth of their child.   

“We interviewed Australia’s top perinatal experts and talked about reproductive hormones, pregnancy and birth support, advocacy, early fatherhood and managing expectations". 

 Engaging men more effectively during the antenatal period may lead to the following outcomes:

 ·    Improved maternal perinatal mental health

·    Reduced maternity care costs

·       Higher maternal satisfaction

·       Reduced medical interventions 

·       Reduced birth trauma rates

·       Reduced caesarean rates

·       Reduced gender based violence

·       Improved breastfeeding outcomes 

·       Reduced maternal mortality

·       Reduced perinatal relationship breakdown

·       Reduced pre term birth rate

 Steven Kennedy is the Founding Director of Birthing Dads and the PREPARE Foundation.  He has lived experience of post natal depression and birth trauma and is passionate about improving birth outcomes by inspiring dads to be engaged and focussed during the birth of their children. Over the last three years he has talked to hundreds of expectant fathers about the importance of preparing for birth during pregnancy. 

 1) Midwives perceptions and experiences of engaging fathers in perinatal services. H.Rominov, et al 2016.  School of psychology, faculty of health sciences, Australian Catholic University.

2) Not patient and not visitor: a meta-synthesis fathers’ encounters with pregnancy birth and maternity care.  Mary Steen Et Al, 2011. University of Chester, UK