The dads answer
Dad's role during childbirth: what to do, concretely?
During the birth, dad has a real role: guiding the breathing, physically supporting his partner, carrying the birth plan and liaising with the medical team.
You don't improvise it, you prepare for it in prenatal class. Here's what 14 dads have to say.
Why does dad's role matter so much during childbirth?
It's not just a hunch: it's documented. The Cochrane review on continuous support during childbirth (more than 15,000 women studied) concludes that continuous support is associated with shorter births, fewer interventions and a more positive experience.
TheWorld Health Organization officially recommends the presence of a companion chosen by the mother during labour and birth, as a component of a positive birth experience. In Quebec, the guide Mieux vivre avec notre enfant from the INSPQ, given to all new parents, also stresses the partner's place during labour.
Dad is, by definition, the most continuous support there is: he's there before the first contraction and still there after the first feed. He just needs to know what to do. That's exactly what the testimonials below describe.
Dad's seven concrete roles during childbirth
1. Preparing ahead with prenatal classes
It all starts weeks before the big day. A dad who has taken prenatal classes knows what's going to happen: the phases of labour, the signs of the real start, what's normal and what isn't. That knowledge turns anxiety into useful vigilance.
What dads take away from the preparation is the word “concrete”: things to actually do, not theory.
Emilie's class was really interesting. Well structured, concrete; my partner and I loved it!
Thank you so much, Gabriel!
My partner and I had the chance to take a group prenatal workshop at 36 weeks of pregnancy. It was a truly enriching, stimulating and welcoming experience. Émilie is simply brilliant: she gave us a wealth of tools and knowledge, always in a very relaxed way and with a lot of humour! We felt much more confident about the birth, ready to welcome our baby with better preparation. It let my partner really strengthen her mindset and feel much more in control of the situation.
In the end, the birth went very well — and that's largely thanks to Émilie. So a big thank you!
We highly recommend it :)
Thank you, Antoine
My husband and I loved the childbirth preparation workshop. Emilie takes the time to explain and to practise the positions with us, and she even emails a summary at the end of the session. My husband reread it a few days before the birth so he'd have it all in mind, and it was very useful on the big day. Thanks to the workshop, my physiological birth went in the best possible conditions. I recommend it 100%
Thank you very much Aude and congratulations to you both on the birth of Théodore.
2. Building the birth plan together, and knowing it by heart
The birth plan is dad's number one tool on the big day. During labour, mom isn't in a state to negotiate pain management or skin-to-skin: it's the partner who carries the couple's voice.
A dad who knows the birth plan can answer the medical team's questions without interrupting his partner in her bubble.
That's exactly what Aude's partner experienced, and you can read the full testimonial : he answered the team, followed the plan they had written together, and brought her back to her breathing when everything sped up.
3. Providing physical support: positions, massage, pressure points
During labour, dad's hands are useful. Counter-pressure on the sacrum, support through changes of birth position, pressure points to ease the contractions : these are simple actions, but they're learned and practised before the big day.
4. Finding your place, neither spectator nor extra
The most common fear among fathers-to-be isn't the delivery room: it's not knowing where to put themselves. A Doula support doesn't replace dad; on the contrary, it makes room for him.
« Tight-knit team »: that's probably the best definition of dad's role. doula guides, dad acts, mom gives birth.
5. Being the emotional anchor and the keeper of calm
When the pace picks up, in hospital as at a birth centre, someone has to stay the couple's anchor. Bringing the breathing back, keeping eye contact, putting words to what's happening: dad is the familiar face in a room that's buzzing.
Emilie was an exceptional doula during our birth experience. Her invaluable support and devoted attention truly made all the difference for us.
Her sound advice and her expertise were invaluable. Emilie was always there to answer our questions, give us useful information and share relaxation techniques to ease the pain. Her gentle, reassuring approach let us stay calm and focused during labour.
What really impressed us was her constant attention and her presence throughout the birth. She was by our side at every stage of the process, providing physical and emotional support. Her ability to create a soothing environment and to encourage communication with the medical team was incredibly valuable.
In the end, thanks to Emilie, our birth experience was more positive than we could ever have imagined. We're endlessly grateful for everything she did for us, and we highly recommend her to any mom-to-be and family looking for a professional, loving and skilled doula to support them through this precious moment in life. Thank you, Emilie, you are absolutely exceptional!
Wow, Thomas, thank you for this lovely review; it means a lot to me. It was a joy to support you. I wish you much happiness, and big hugs.
What can I say about Émilie's support? My wife and I booked a package that included classes and presence at the birth. Émilie adapted it all to our needs, and she's a really good listener. Her support during the birth truly reassured us. On top of that, she's a wonderfully caring person. In short, a gem!
Thank you, Paul!
Émilie was wonderful; we were a tight-knit team thanks to her. I don't know how we would have managed without her.
Her gentleness, her calm and her empathy gave us a birth in the best possible conditions.
Thank you, Marc-Antoine, and happy birthday to Léon!!
Emilie supported my wife and me for the arrival of our first child. She gave us both the confidence to approach this big step with confidence. As a dad-to-be, she helped me find my place so I could support my wife as well as possible and proudly welcome our baby. I can only recommend Emilie's support; it was very good for us!
Thank you, Florian, and congratulations on the arrival of your little boy. I'm so glad it helped you find your place and feel confident.
6. Handling the logistics so mom doesn't have to think about them
This is the invisible but essential role: the hospital bag ready, the route to one of the hospitals where to give birth in Montreal mapped out, the car seat installed, the insurance paperwork in order (good to know: doula support is often reimbursed by private insurance in Quebec). Every detail settled in advance is one less mental load for mom.
7. Staying present after the birth
Dad's role doesn't stop at the first cry. The first days at home — fatigue, breastfeeding, contradictory information — are often the most destabilizing moment of the journey. That's wherepostpartum support and the postnatal home support take over.
The only question I have after this wonderful experience: how would we have managed without Émilie's support? Her kindness, her energy, her joy for life and her professionalism guided us throughout the pregnancy and let us arrive calm and prepared for the birth. After the birth, she was our anchor in those first days, faced with the pile of sometimes contradictory information you hear. I recommend her 200%!! Thank you so much for everything, Émilie!
Thanks so much, Léo; such a joy to have supported you!! Big hugs to you both.
I recommend Émilie as a doula. Not only is she a great professional, she's also passionate about her work. We really appreciated her approach.
Always attentive, without judgment, honest, human, uninhibited conversations full of resources for both parents.
Thanks to Émilie, we're more than prepared and confident for the birth ahead and for coming home as a family of three.
Thank you so much, Antoine!
I highly recommend Émilie as a doula. Her professionalism, her empathy and her emotional support were essential for us during the pregnancy, the birth and the postnatal period. She is a valuable ally for anyone looking for support on their journey into motherhood.
Thank you so much, Etienne!
Frequently asked questions about childbirth preparation
Why take prenatal classes in Montreal?
Prenatal classes help you understand how labour and birth unfold, learn the positions and breathing techniques, and prepare your partner for their supporting role. Well prepared, you approach the big day with more bearings and less anxiety.
What is dad's role during childbirth?
Dad isn't a spectator: he provides physical support (pressure points, positions), reassures, liaises with the medical team and protects his partner's bubble.
Group prenatal classes or private in-home classes: which should you choose?
The group classes let you share the experience with other expecting parents, while private in-home classes offer tailored support, adapted to your own story. That's especially reassuring after a difficult first birth or if you're anxious.
Can you give birth at a birth centre in Montreal?
Yes. Montreal has several birth centres where the birth is attended by a midwife, in a physiological and intimate setting. It's an option for low-risk pregnancies that want a gentler environment than a hospital.
How do you deal with the fear of childbirth?
Fear often comes from the unknown or from a difficult past experience. Understanding it, naming it and preparing concretely — with breathing, positions and visualization — helps turn it into confidence. That's the whole point of a personalized perinatal preparation approach.
Émilie Péru
Certified doula · Perinatal naturopath · Founder of Ysé Naissance, Montreal
Birth companion certified by the school Mère et Monde (2020) and member of theAQD (Association québécoise des doulas), Émilie has spent years supporting Montreal families through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. A perinatal naturopath and member of theANPQ, trained in hypnosis for birth, in the Spinning Babies®, in breastfeeding and in twin births, she was also a breastfeeding peer supporter for Nourri-Source. Since 2023, she teaches future doulas as an instructor at the Mère et Monde school. A mom of two little girls, she has built up more than 100 five-star Google reviews. Meet the whole Ysé Naissance team →
- Certified by Mère et Monde (2020)
- AQD member
- Perinatal naturopath · ANPQ member
- Spinning Babies®
- Hypnosis for pregnancy & birth
- Breastfeeding specialization
- Instructor at Mère et Monde
The services most families use
Group prenatal classes
A concrete and dynamic workshop, to be experienced as a couple, to review positions, breathing and pain management techniques.
ExplorePostnatal home support
A doula at home after birth, to breathe, recover and feel supported on a daily basis with baby.
ExploreGood to know: the relief service was reimbursed by insurance, under the naturopathy component. Several group plans cover postnatal support in this category, it is worth checking with your insurer.