What do a Dutch university lecturer, a US Marine, a Scottish artist, and an English engineer have in common? They have all experienced the transformative power of home birth, and their stories - and many others - are told in this groundbreaking book. As hospital-based maternity services become increasingly medicalised, more and more parents are deciding that birth belongs in the home. For many women, this choice may be an easy one, but for their partners, home birth raises some serious questions. For the first time, The Father's Home Birth Handbook provides a resource aimed specifically at exploring men's hopes and fears around home birth. Thorough research, balanced discussion, and dozens of home birth stories from real men all over the world make this book essential reading for all fathers-to-be and the professionals who support them.
A quite brilliant book. The Independent
Direct, succinct and easy to follow, Leah Hazard’s book is a perfect addition to any midwife or doula’s library. Midwifery Today
Leah Hazard's exploration of what it's like for a father at a homebirth is well-referenced and provides answers to many of the questions a man might have about the homebirth choice. I love that she brings together the voices of men from all walks of life, and reveals how life changing the birth of their baby was for them, in the sanctity of their own home. Although primarily written for men, it's invaluable as a resource for birth professionals. The Mother magazine
This handbook is essential reading. The Green Parent magazine
The Father's Home Birth Handbook presents a concise, research-based discussion of the viability of home birth, specifically tailored to the questions and concerns of dads-to-be. Because the male experience of birth is undervalued in Western societies, the steady stream of birth stories and anecdotes from men around the globe is a gold mine in and of itself . . . The book is available only from the UK, but I think the subject matter makes it worth the extra cost. Mothering magazine
I'm so impressed with your clear and articulate, yet obviously passionate, writing. It's just the book we all need at the moment. I commend you and hope that it will soon be widely available here in the US where women & men need this information. Thank you for this book! Karen Webster, CPM, LM, founder of WomanWise Midwifery and member of the Board of the Foundation for the Advancement of Midwifery (FAM)
I want to tell you how spectacular the information in this book is. You have addressed so many things that are overlooked and can make or break the birthing experience for the mother as well as the father. I suspect I will want all my dads to read this book. Jennifer West, LM, CPM, HBCE, TBMP, CST, CH, founder of Albuquerque Homebirth, preceptor for the National College of Midwifery, and a member of the New Mexico State Midwifery Advisory Board
The Father’s Home Birth Handbook successfully bridges continents, cultures and even genders. It is an important read for all parents, no matter where they may think they want to give birth. Fathers make a world of difference, at birth and beyond. Patrick Houser, author of the Fathers-To-Be Handbook
This brilliant book is what every father-to-be should read, no matter whether his partner is planning to give birth at home or in hospital. If your partner is pregnant or if you know a man whose partner is pregnant, buy this book so that you or he can learn from other men what they experienced when their partners gave birth. Dr. Ann M. Altman, PhD
