Contents

Foreword by Dr Ric Porter, obstetrician and fertility specialist

PART ONE
The expectant father’s job description
Our birth stories
Call for reinforcements: doulas and other support people
Paul Treseder’s story - Qantas pilot
What to say and what not to say during childbirth
Paul Osborne’s story - CEO of Parramatta Eels and father of nine
Understanding labour pain
James Tomkins’ story - Olympic rower
Practical ideas for pain management
Danny Green’s story - three-time world champion boxer
Supporting your partner through loss
David Galilee’s story - zoologist
How to be an advocate for your family
Digby Hone’s story - emergency specialist

PART TWO
Prelabour
Adam Spencer’s story - TV and radio presenter
First stage of labour
Charlie Teo’s story - neurosurgeon
Transition – duck for cover!
Mark Occhilupo’s story - world champion surfer
The big push and the moment of birth
Mark Ferguson’s story - channel seven national news presenter
Third stage of labour
Tim Vincent’s story - cattle farmer
After the birth: the first few hours
Jud Arthur’s story - ex-rugby player, opera singer
Caesareans
Gerrard Gosens’ story - blind adventurer and paralympian

PART THREE
Life after birth
David Maxwell’s story - Army Warrant Officer
Breastfeeding for blokes
Mike Baird’s story - NSW politician
Afterword
Resources
Recommended reading

Contributing professionals:
Dr John Keogh, obstetrician and gynaecologist
Dr Gary Sykes, obstetrician and gynaecologist
Naomi Abeshouse, Chinese herbalist
Akal Khalsa, midwife
Bettina Arndt, sex therapist, psychologist and author
Denise Love, birth consultant
Hannah Dahlen, Associate Professor of Midwifery
Pam Sherwin, yoga teacher
Vickie Hingston-Jones, aromatherapist