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DAD'S THE WORD!
Added: (Tue Jun 30 2009)
PRESS RELEASE - JULY 2009
DAD'S THE WORD!
LAUNCH OF THE UK'S FIRST ANTENATAL CLASSES FOR BOTH MUMS AND DADS
Research shows that having a birth partner providing continuous support means that women are reporting more positive birth experiences. With higher birth rates and ever decreasing resources in the NHS, women can't be sure of having one to one midwifery care, so it is essential that women have a confident birth partner. However, despite this, findings have shown that men are alienated through typical antenatal classes , which are traditionally facilitated by a female teacher. In response to this, MumDad Antental has launched the UK's first antenatal classes which are specifically designed for both mums and dads.
MumDad Antenatal classes are specifically designed for men and women so couples attending the course are more likely to successfully support each other through the birth of their child. The classes are led by a male and female facilitator which means that mums and dads needs are equally catered for.
Harps Chhokar, a Birth Educator and the founder of MumDad Antenatal comments,
“All too often the father’s role in both the pregnancy and birth is forgotten. MumDad Antenatal classes include single sex sessions facilitated by a dad – this means that men are able to voice their concerns, hopes and fears to someone who can give a male perspective to these issues. So dads can discuss topics important to them such as practical babycare, paternity leave and returning to work.”
This new approach to antenatal classes has been recognised by the government initiative, Think Fathers as a positive resource for dads: http://www.think-fathers.org/resources .
Duncan Fisher, a leading social commentator and OBE for services to children has also recognised the need for such a new approach and says,
“Just occasionally, something really new and significant emerges and I think the new website www.mumdad.info is such a thing.......This is the future of maternity care.”
MumDad Antenatal offer a range of courses to suit all parents to be, including the “Babymoon”. The Babymoon course is designed specifically for couples who have busy schedules and would like to prepare for birth and early parenthood in a quick and efficient manner. This course also gives couples the opportunity to have a weekend break where they get to spend quality time together before they are faced with the many challenges of a newborn. This format makes the course available to anyone in the UK as they can travel to MumDad Antenatal's weekend break venue , the Hilton Hotel in Reading, Berkshire, to attend the course.
To find out more about MumDad Antenatal courses, visit www.MumDad.info
-ENDS-
For further information, images or case studies please contact:
Harps & Randip Chhokar - 07970 622 199
harps@mumdad.info
Notes To Editors
About MumDad Antenatal
All MumDad Antenatal courses and workshops are led by Harps and Randip. We are a husband and wife team who help couples through birth and early parenthood. Our clients tell us that our passionate and helpful nature ensures that our classes are a pleasure to attend.
Harps is a Birth Educator with experience in pregnancy, child birth and early parenting. She has trained with the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and is awaiting formal approval of her Diploma in Adult Education (Antenatal Education). Harps is also the Chair of the West Berkshire Maternity Services Liaison Committee (MSLC). Through this role Harps influences the strategy and planning for West Berkshire maternity services at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.
Randip is a Chartered Accountant and has experience in helping fathers prepare for birth and the early days of parenthood. He is involved in providing training seminars and people development sessions. When Harps came up with the idea of providing an antenatal course which specifically caters for Mums and Dads, Randip was thrilled to be involved. The era we live in means that both mothers and fathers now take equal responsibility for family matters therefore practical postnatal assistance by Dads is vital for a happy family life.
Research
This press release refers to several pieces of research and for further details see
• Green, J., Amis, D. and Hotelling, B. (2007) Continuous Labour Support Journal of Perinatal Education
• Deave, T. and Johnson, D. (2008) The transition to parenthood: what does it mean for fathers? Journal of Advanced Nursing
Further information about fathers and maternity services
Duncan Fisher, a leading commentator on fathers in society, has recently written about fathers being overlooked in the delivery of maternity services and how this clearly leads to a sub-optimal result for the new family (www.duncanfisher.com).