Beer & Bubs

One of the best things I did as a Dad to prepare for the birth of our child was heading along to a "Beer and Bubs" night.

Basically, it's a birth coaching session... for guys. Held at the pub. Sound a bit bizzare? Read on...

First thing that springs to mind is the question of how birth coaching at a pub could add to the pre-natal classes that most people take through the hospital. Well, this isn't about the mechanics of the operation. You don't learn about the hospital, drugs, different stages of labour or anything like that.

What it is about, is conveying to Dads who attend the birth from start to finish how they can actually be useful during the most intense experience that they are likely to go through.

Personally, the thought of being clueless and unable to help my wife in any way at all... going into the situation armed only with a clinical knowledge of the process... was a source of much anxiety. I did a lot of reading, listened at the pre-natal classes, and had a pretty good handle on what was likely to happen - however nothing in any book or class told me how I could actually help make it all easier.

Beer and Bubs (check out the website) is run by Lucy Perry. She is a doula. Basically, her job is to provide support to the woman during the pregnancy. What that all means, is that she knows all sorts of tips for making the birth a little less stressful, a little more controlled and a lot nicer experience.

It also means she is well qualified to give tips to guys on how to be useful during the birth.

At Beer and Bubs, Lucy and her husband take you through practical, easy to implement tricks and techniques for you to help your partner relax and to help the birth progress as calmly as possible. She also gives you some absolutely invaluable tips on what not to do and what not to say, which is perhaps just as important! All of this is done in a setting that most Dads find very comfortable... the local pub.

All in all a brilliant idea. Thoroughly recommended for any expectant father.

Check out the details on the website at:
http://www.beerandbubs.com.au/

P.S. I hear on the grapevine that they have started offering Beer and Bubs sessions in Manly as well as Killara. Great for all the Northern Beaches Dads!

P.P.S. Some of us Beer and Bubs Dads managed to get our photo in the paper!
http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,,21243421-5006007,00.html