My experience of the first birth was very intellectual so now (that we have the book ‘What Dads Can Do’), it is a complete relief to have a ‘living map” explaining how men can help the mothers’ body to naturally wake up. I feel empowered and so much better equipped – far more confident to deepen our relationship with the coming birth. The book has brought me out of my head and into the user-friendly diagrams with clear as a mirror wording – Matt, Brisbane
“The pressure points you showed me were invaluable – in the early stages of contractions, the lowest points cut straight through the contractions – almost totally removing the pain. It was wonderful to have something that simple yet that effective that I could do to help my wife birth our son. Thank you for your advice and help, as it was invaluable in giving her the confidence to birth her baby naturally”. Daniel, Red Hill, Brisbane
‘After being told at out of the blue 37 weeks she was ‘too old’ to birth naturally and that she would need a C section next week . . .we took your advice and investigated the natural and real birthing options still available in the public system. Prior to my wife going into labour, I did the massages to the sacrum and buttocks. It was a useful way to prepare for the birth. Although the labour was induced she did not take any pain relief, nor was proglastin applied due to the cervix had to begun to dilate. I put this down on your advice to go public (we sacked our obstetrician) and making us more aware that it is quite normal to go over the forty-week cycle.
I found that your advice was invaluable in assisting me to give the support that my wife required in the birth of our son. I applied the pressure at the points that you indicated, and this gave her relief during the contractions. Being able to offer an alternative to medical pain relief as well as acting as an advocate for natural and safe for baby whilst my wife was not in a position to do it herself made me realise the positive role I could play in the birth of our child. Thank you so much for assisting me in playing such a vital and positive role in supporting my wife birth our baby herself. Paul, Brisbane
(DAD) “I felt that with this, our second child, we were both a lot more prepared, as we had practiced going through the labour dance together so many times. Using the DVD and following the instructions in the manual was so easy. I also felt that my wife was much more ready to accept my suggestions, and assistance, and this made me feel really useful and able to contribute more of myself”.
With this birth, I felt a lot more relaxed going in, as although bub was breech, I felt that we were more clear with our plan, so I knew that whatever happened, we were in the right place so that there wouldn’t be the rush to make a decision re Caesar like there was with our first child, I also felt a lot more part of the labour process, as I was needed to give support in the water, and I also felt that Irene was a lot more receptive to me giving that support. I think she was more relaxed about the process also” – David, Samford, Brisbane.
‘What Dads Can Do’ was an essential tool for our home birth. The DVD helped give me a clear understanding of how (& where) to massage and Moxa. The book had an answer for every question that I had and made me much more comfortable and confident about birthing at home. Not only did the book provide vital information about massage, energy flow and birth, reading this brought me even closer to my wife Catherine in the weeks before and during the birth. Matt, Brisbane
Having Heather’s “What Dads Can Do” manual and “WDCD – Massage and Birthing” DVD has been really fantastic. It meant in the weeks leading up to our daughter’s birth we were relaxed and confident and very comfortable!! A dad’s view – Heather’s groundwork leading up to the birth of our daughter not only prepared her mum physically for birthing but also it gave me the confidence to assist her. The massage techniques in labour and the reassurance I felt during the birth event that everything was progressing as nature intended was fantastic. All of this resulted in the home birth of our first child without intervention into the peaceful and loving environment- a joyous event – not directed by strangers. My wife experienced ecstatic birth and there was no hint of depression – she was high for days after doing it all herself. – Chris, Brisbane