What Bradley Dads Have to Say....     "First and foremost, I was at the birth to give support to my wife.  I knew she needed me, and I wasn't about to let down the most important person in my life.  The actual moment of birth was the bonus.  However, had it not been for the preparation I received from our Bradley instructor, I would have merely been an observer, rather than a major contributor.  Looking back, I see now that being a trained coach at my daughter's birth was the highest expression of love I could have given her and my wife".    David P. "It was important to have a healthy birth for my baby and my wife.  Sharing in the bonding experience, both physically and psychologically with Linda throughout labor and birth.  Being that connected allowed me to react accordingly.  Being the first person to touch our baby was such an emotional buildup.  That went beyond physically being there.  It was total emotion".    Eric P. "It was extremely important.  I felt I didn't have an option whether to do it or not, it was my responsibility, we both made the baby.  It was a big support for Tina.  It was a lot more exciting than I thought it would be.  It exceeded my expectations.  I think fathers should be required to take part in the birth."   Chuck G. "Being with my wife was very important to me, coming from a culture where the man doesn't do that.  It was very important being with my wife during the whole labor from start to end.  Being there to support her, she'll know you're there, and with the educational awareness I learned from class, witnessing the whole thing was the greatest experience.  We recommend Bradley to most of the pregnant couples we meet.  It was a super way to do it".    Christopher  S. Excerpts from the book "Husband-Coached Childbirth" by Robert Bradley, M.D. A Father's Story of the birth of his son -Miles James Bazay, March 4th, 2005      ARTICLES OF INTEREST   Fathering the pre-born baby, by William Sears, M.D. Labor Union, The Story of a Bradley Dad   - Mothering 2003 Childbirth Is Not For Mothers Only - DONALD SUTHERLAND The Pregnant Father,  by William Sear, M.D. Normal Father Feelings during Pregnancy, by William Sears, M.D. Father to Father - On Breastfeeding , by David Stewart, AAHCC, PhD, NAPSAC Dad Anxiety , Parents 1999 Sex During Pregnancy - Questions that trouble Pregnant Women and Expectant Fathers Sex risky too soon after childbirth , The Okanagan Saturday, 1998  Keeping Your Relationship Alive After the Baby Arrives   RECOMMENDED READING FOR DADDIES   Husband-Coached Childbirth, by Robert A. Bradley, MD (1996 edition)   Chapters   Amazon   CalgaryPublicLibrary    Father's First Steps, by William Sears, MD   Chapters   Amazon   Keys to Becoming a Father,  by William Sears, MD   Chapters   Amazon  When Men Are Pregnant, by J.L. Sapiro  Chapters   Amazon    Becoming a Father, by William Sears, MD  Chapters  Amazon