Information for dads and partners

    Dad and baby

Information for dads and partners

If your partner is pregnant, we encourage you to show your interest in the pregnancy and birth and to be supportive to your partner. You can look at the NHS information on different weeks of pregnancy to see what happens to someone when they are pregnant and how the unborn baby develops during pregnancy.

This checklist may be useful for the final weeks: 
  • Make sure you can be contacted at all times
  • Decide how you'll get to the hospital (if you have arranged a hospital birth)
  • If you're using your own car, make sure it works and has petrol, and do a trial run to see how long it takes to get from your home to the hospital
  • Remember to pack a bag for yourself, including snacks, a camera, and your phone and charger.

Partners are welcome to stay overnight in the delivery suite, birth centre and our antenatal and postnatal wards.  If you have planned a hospital birth, you will both want to pack a change of clothes. 

 

The Future Dads Programme

The Future Dads Programme (formerly called the Expectant Fathers programme) is the longest running fully evaluated programme of its kind. The programme is academically proven to increase confidence and competence in fathering skills. Research shows that when fathers are involved with their children from the beginning, their children do better socially and academically.

The programme is a 1-day course on a Saturday, from 10am to 4pm covering:

  • Practical Skills: learning how to hold, feed, bath, change and bond with baby.
  • Why fathers are important and what kind of father do you want to be?     
  • Impact on relationships (partner/work/friends) 
  • Question and answer session – an opportunity to ask an expereinced midwife any question about the birthing experience.

Programme aims

  • Enhance your competence and confidence in your new role as a father
  • Prepare you to engage more actively in the pregnancy
  • Introduce practical skills you will need with your baby
  • Highlight your importance and help you discover the kind of father you want to be

Please go to the Future Men website for further information or to book. 

 

Doulas – professional birth attendants

You may choose to be supported by a doula during your birth. A doula is a professional birth attendant. You can find out more in our patient information leaflet about doulas:

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