Maternity ‘lessons’ for expectant dads

Innovative classes that help expectant fathers to play a bigger role in the birth of their babies have earned maternity staff in North Staffordshire a national award.

Newcastle MP Paul Farrelly paid tribute to the pioneering work of the University Hospital’s Midwife Birth Centre which teaches dads-to-be how to help their partners before and during labour.

The Centre is based within the hospital’s £70 million maternity unit which opened in April.

The centre’s “Preparation for Birth” classes focus on relaxation, massage, diet and nutrition techniques – all designed to give both parents more confidence in the early stages of birth.

In July, staff from the Centre collected a National Maternity Award from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity (APPGM) during a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament.

Later Paul, himself a father-of-three, said: “I know just how important it is for fathers to be supportive during what is a crucially important time for all families.

“For too long many fathers have played only a minor role before and during the birth process and I’m delighted that the midwife Birth Centre is leading the way in giving them a more active role.

“The advice and guidance the Centre is giving means that both partners will have the confidence they need to manage the early stages of birth at home and only go into hospital once labour is established,” he added.