Midwives

How NZ Midwives See Fathers-to-be … You

Dear New Zealand DIYExpectant Father:

Pregnancy changes everything. Once a woman falls pregnant she comes under the care of a midwife and sometimes a specialist and draws attention from even strangers. The focus is SO on the woman and child that you very well might already feel a bit uncertain about your role. Fathers-to-be can particularly feel this female focus within the NZ Midwifery because the midwifery Partnership model is between midwives and women. What’s your place?

Who honors the fathers-to-be?

Unlike traditional communities, in modern cultures there is little honoring of fathers-to-be and this is incredibly sad. A man, becoming a father, goes through as many changes during pregnancy as does his partner … yet different.

Submitted by community on Sat, 12/09/2009 - 12:51pm

What is the argument between natural and medical birth?

Dear New Zealand DIYFather-to-be

You’re in a bind here torn between two very opposing viewpoints of childbirth. Where should you stand?

On the one hand NZ midwives are strong proponents of ‘natural’ birth, believe childbirth is inherently safe and that a natural birth is better than a medical one. If you think the word ‘natural’ has ever been defined with a common meaning think again.

Let’s be practical. If you lived in a culture where there was no medical care available then anything and everything that happened in birth would be ‘normal’ and ‘natural’ although it might be unpleasant or infrequent. There are still hundreds of millions of people live without access to modern medical care. However, you live in a very modern country with a great maternity health service. In New Zealand the word ‘natural birth’ implies a lack of medical ‘interventions’’ and implies birth will be spontaneously easy as well as safe.

Submitted by community on Wed, 02/09/2009 - 10:46pm

Discover what a great Dad you are!

What every New Dad needs to know and then discover what a great Dad you are!

And what every New Mom needs to know – or she’ll make it hard for you to be the Dad you want to be!

It’s been a slow change – who’s to blame – no-one really – we (Midwives, Obstetricians, Health Professionals) were just too busy looking after Mom and Baby – that sometimes we just didn’t see the Dad sitting in the background – unsure of what he could do.

Of course there were Dads who always promised themselves – that they didn’t care if it was not a blokey thing to do – they were going to change nappies/diaper, they were going to bath their baby, they were going to sing to their baby – they were going to tell their baby great stories about great footballers, or great men they knew – they were going to be a part of their baby’s life – and they couldn’t wait to get started – from the minute they could – they would be there – helping Mom in every and any way they could – they were going to have a special relationship with their child. Maybe they felt that their own Dad never cared – but whatever the reason – they were going to make sure that their baby got to know them – in a loving way – in a way that would be special to both of them – for the rest of their lives. These fathers were few and far between – but nowadays – things are different!

Submitted by community on Thu, 04/09/2008 - 7:25pm