A Dad’s Guide to Preparing for Birth

On-Demand Class · Prenatal

This course covers everything dads need to know about what to expect in the 3rd trimester, including changes in your day-to-day life and how to best support your partner. We also cover Dad's role in birth, and how to prepare for labor and delivery.

Class Description

In the Dad’s Guide to Preparing for Birth course we cover: the types of changes the 3rd trimester causes in your work life, personal relationships, and even physical health exercises to explore the question: "What kind of Dad do I want to be?" prenatal bonding techniques for Dads to feel more connected to their baby prior to the birth tips on how to best support your partner during the last few weeks of the pregnancy checklist of final preparations for the birth of your baby discussion about the initiation into fatherhood and the role you play in the birth as the provider/protector of your family the importance of laboring at home and how do it safely common experiences of birth and what to expect so you're ready what to do if something goes wrong at the birth (emergency c-section, NICU, etc.) A dad's first-hand story of the birth of his son what to do if you experience birth trauma (yes, men suffer from this too)

Sessions Overview

  1. Introduction to Pregnancy and Birth: Welcome and CONGRATULATIONS!!! This video goes over the scope of what we will cover in this course to best prepare you for pregnancy (especially the 3rd trimester) and labor & delivery. Includes tips for how to implement the class material.
  2. Physical Self Care for Dads: Being rested and healthy in the 3rd trimester is just as important for dads as it is for moms. In this session we discuss how to be as physically strong, rested and healthy as possible - so you can handle the stress and sleep deprivation of the newborn care period.
  3. Work Self Care for Dads: Dads can experience a lot of work stress during the 3rd trimester, because you're torn between trying to get a lot done before you take your paternity leave and the time demand of taking birth classes, going to prenatal appointments and helping your spouse. This is how to handle it best.
  4. Relationships Self Care for Dads: How to make sure you spend quality time with your friends and family (and your spouse) before your little one comes along - because the time demands of baby care are enormous in the first few months.
  5. What Kind of Dad do You Want to Be: Many men never even think about the question: "What kind of Dad do I want to be?" before they become a Dad, and then wonder why they fumble their way through fatherhood. But not you. This simple, yet powerful journaling exercise will uncover inspiring answers for yourself.
  6. Prenatal Bonding for Dads: Prenatal Bonding techniques are proven activities that you can do while your baby is still in the belly that helps you build your relationship BEFORE they are even born! Yeah, it's a real thing.
  7. Supporting HER in Pregnancy Part 1: I've asked hundreds of new moms what they wished their partners would have done for them leading up to the birth to make their lives better. This what they they told me...(Part 1)
  8. Supporting HER in Pregnancy Part 2: I've asked hundreds of new moms what they wished their partners would have done for them leading up to the birth to make their lives better. This what they they told me...(Part 2)
  9. Supporting HER in Pregnancy Part 3: I've asked hundreds of new moms what they wished their partners would have done for them leading up to the birth to make their lives better. This what they they told me...(Part 3)
  10. Final Preparations for the Birth: The last few days before your spouse goes into labor will be filled with anticipation and excitement. Here's a checklist for you to make sure everything is ready to go wnen she does.
  11. Birth as Initiation into Dadhood: We as men have strong ties to the archetypes of The Provider and The Protector within us. Learn how to direct these in helpful ways by protecting the space of the birth and providing support for your spouse.
  12. Laboring at Home: If you are going to a hospital or a birth center for delivery, studies have shown that laboring at home for as long as possible produces the best birth outcomes. This is how to do it safely and how to know when it's time to get in the car.
  13. The Birth of Your Baby: Most men have never seen a birth and know very little about what to expect. We discuss the common experiences of birth and so you're better prepared for when you finally get to meet your baby.
  14. What if Something Goes WRONG?: We never want this to happen, but if something should go differently as planned (emergency c-section, NICU, etc) this will help you know what to do to be as supportive and helpful to your partner and your baby to help them get through it.
  15. My Birth Story as A Dad: This is me telling the story of the birth of my son, Niko, who was born at home with a midwife and doula after 7 hours of labor. I share it so you hear a dad's perspective on birth, in hopes that it helps you at your child's birth.
  16. After the Birth - Healing Birth Trauma in Dads: Men can be traumatized by the birth of their child just as much as women. There are resources for new dads too to help them with the feelings of PTSD or post-partum depression as well.

Your Instructor

Jay Warren

Dr. Jay Warren is a prenatal and pediatric chiropractor in San Diego, CA where he works with new families everyday. Dr. Jay is the host of two popular podcasts “Healthy Births, Happy Babies” and “The Dadhood Journey”, as well as an instructor for the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association). He has created online courses helping pregnant women learn prenatal bonding techniques and courses for new dads that help men with the transition into fatherhood. He is also the proud father to his son, Niko, who inspires him to strive to be a better person and better dad everyday.

Degrees and Certifications

Doctor of Chiropractic, Life Chiropractic College West, 2000 Prenatal and Perinatal Educator, APPPAH Certification 2017 Parenting Coach, Joy of Parenting Certification 2021

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