What is a dad doula? A "dad doula" is a man who is trained to provide educational and emotional support specifically to a new dad during the 4th trimester. The term is also used for a specific type of childbirth education and support program designed to advocate for fathers helping them gain the skills and confidence to support their partner and navigate the labor and delivery process together. This support also  empowers dads with knowledge and skills to help their baby thrive while building a vital and essential bond only dads can provide. 

Why is a dad doula essential to a birth plan? Dads often feel a range of emotions before, during and after the birth process. This ranges from anxiety to loneliness and fear. In some cases when there is birth trauma in the experience, dads will feel guilt and helplessness that can last years adversely impacting their relationship with their children and spouse. A dad doula focuses on supporting the new dad in cooperation with the rest of the birth team so the birth team can focus on the new mom.

Why am I doing this? The short answer is I needed this when my two boys were born and there was no one there to support me on the level that my wife had. I had no language to express  or communicate that need and no one knew how to support me. And I felt guilt for admitting I needed that support too. Add in birth trauma which is on the rise, paternal post-partum depression (yes, a lot of guys experience it) and you have the recipe for a marriage and fatherhood crisis later in life that years of therapy repaired. But what if that could have all been avoided? 

Years of acquiring resources and learning from many experts in the birth field have driven me to make sure every dad can have the advantage, confidence and support I wish I had.