Men at Birth

by David Vernon

What does it feel like to attend the birth of your own child? How do men overcome their natural anxiety about birth? What is the best way that men can support their partners? What is it like to cut an umbilical cord? How does it feel when you meet your baby for the very first time? What if something goes wrong?

This book answers these questions and many, many more. Men at Birth contains the over thirty stories written by men, for men about their birth experiences. Each story was specifically written for this book. The men writing the stories knew that their tale would be shared with thousands of men and women and have written about it from the heart. The stories you will read here are often funny, sometimes sad, but all are unfailingly triumphant. They are the best preparation a man could have to attend the birth of his child.

226 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

David Vernon is a full time writer and editor. While he is known for his non-fiction books about birth: Men at Birth, Having a Great Birth in Australia, Birth Stories and With Women, he has turned his hand to writing science articles for newspapers and magazines as well as scribbling the odd short story or two. He established the Stringybark Short Stories Awards in 2010 to promote short story writing. He recently completed "A Good Yarn" an Australian history book. He was the Chair of the ACT Writers Centre for six years.

Reviews

[Herb Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a unique contribution to childbirth literature. It is the only book that I am aware of that focusses upon the birth experience from a man's perspective. It consists of many men's stories of being present at the birth of their child. All kinds of birth are represented - hospital, birth centre, home birth, still birth, traumatic birth, breech birth etc. Reading these stories significantly reduced my anxiety at the birth of my baby.

Well written. Articulate. Humourous (in parts). Well recommended.

[Herb Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the only books that I am aware of that has been written by men for men about childbirth. The production quality is high and the content spot on. It will reassure anxious men and provide additional ideas of how to support birthing partners for men who are not anxious but are looking foward to the best experience they will ever have.