Birthing4blokes course materials
Thanks for registering on the course. The course modules supporting information are listed here:
Module 1
Massage
Take action
Exercise 1
This week, offer her a massage at least twice through out the week. If she becomes aroused sexually and wants to release herself into orgasm that’s great, but remember the focus is her climax not yours.
Exercise 2
This week, take the opportunities when they arise to listen until she has finished. That’s your only goal in listening. Remember the video instructions, use all the active listening stuff that you do all the time. Become aware of what you're saying to yourself as she talks, notice the changes you are noticing in her.
Do this exercise at least three times before the next video. Stop, and think, no fixing, she is not asking for my opinion. (Unless she is right? Even then tread carefully) listen until she is finished.
Module 2
Supporting breastfeeding (pdf)
Take action
Exercise 1
Start to find out, which, slow songs your partner likes. You know the ones, In the old days they were the songs played at the end of the disco. Compile a slow dance playlist, and in between the massage days, ask her if she would like to slow dance together.
Exercise 2
Write out your birth story, in the way you imagine you would like it to unfold. This will be useful. It will give you and your partner insight into what matters to you both about the birth.
If you’re arty, you could draw instead. You’ll hear a lot about birth plans but thinking of birth as an unfolding narrative rather than an event you can plan will be a more helpful way of looking at it.
Module 3
The masculine and feminine (pdf)
Take action
Exercise 1
As before listen until she is finished, but this time listen for any expression of fear that you hear concerning the birth of your baby. Take a note, do your research, and feed back for her to make a choice which you will support.
Exercise 2
Pick a job around the house that needs doing. Do it without being asked and without looking for praise
Module 4
Take action
Exercise 1
Pick a time when she is relaxing, doing something she enjoys. Watch her, notice her body posture, the muscle tone in her face, the slope of her shoulders etc. As you watch, notice her breathing. Then begin to copy her breathing rate as you observe.
Exercise 2
As you listen to her until she is finished, pay attention to things of descriptive language she uses. She will communicate using all her senses but she will have a preference for one of them. When you have a sense of it begin to use those kinds of words as you reply to her.
Module 5
Take action
Exercise 1
Pick an area of your life that you have been moaning about, that you have been whining about. Like stopping with smoking, drinking less, dedicating more time to your passions.
Take at least 3 or 4 steps that move you towards achieving whatever you want to achieve. Don't tell her anything about it. Just do it, don't look for praise. (13:04 in the video)
Exercise 2
Do the deep breathing exercise described towards the end of the video for 5 minutes every day from now until the baby is born. (Go to 14:05 in the video)