About Birthing Dads
In 2017 when Birthing Dads Founder Steven Kennedy had a rough trot after the birth of his son (https://birthingdads.org/blog/f/paternal-mental-health---the-danger-of-birth-support) he researched evidence around the topic of men at birth to better understand his own experience. He discovered the health system supporting birth is in crisis and many of the statistics that define modern birth (cesarean, birth trauma, inductions) are heading in the wrong direction.
He discovered that many men are unprepared for the experience of birth and this could actually be contributing to the poor outcomes. Steven decided to create Birthing Dads to see if the statistics could be turned around by engaging men more effectively in the process.
Background
Fathers are now at 95% of births, however, they are rarely given any preparation, guidance or support for this role - until now!
Birthing Dads equips expectant fathers with the confidence to make a positive impact on the perinatal support they are able to provide.
Continuous perinatal support is linked to better birth and health outcomes for both babies and parents, reduced maternal death, less domestic violence, fewer relationship breakdowns and generally - happier, more resilient families.
It is our view that encouraging teamwork and nurturing the couple relationship in the perinatal period strengthens the family unit and has potential to have positive effects in the wider community.
Birthing Dads provides evidence based information on the physical, and emotional support strategies that men can use to prepare to welcome their newborn baby into the world.
Birthing Dads was founded to raise awareness of the wide ranging positive outcomes possible when fathers are actively involved in supporting their partner and baby during pregnancy, birth and early parenting.
