Must See Documentaries for Fathers-to-be
Pregnant Man, Being Dad, and The Business of Being Born
Oct 26, 2009
There are many great books for parents-to-be to read in preparation for a new baby. While some may feel that reading up on parenting is just a new age idea about something older than time, the same could be said about hunting or gardening.
For those who work very long hours in demanding professions, reading a baby book might not be a viable option, and for those who are simply poor readers, either by retention or speed, these books can seem daunting.
A great alternative to books on childbirth are movies. Among three great ones are Pregnant Man and Being Dad, which were both put together by men, getting into the deeper parts of how they can help with the birthing process, and The Business of Being Born, which was produced by talk show host, Ricki Lake.
Pregnant Man
Author, Gordon Churchwell, adapted his humorous book Making Love To The Hindenberg: Observations From A Father To Be about preparing for parenthood into this film a few years after his experience in becoming a dad.
In this very interesting documentary, Churchwell discusses his experiences and neuroses as well as the crises first time parents endure. Churchwell goes into detail to chronicle his personal development from "a young husband who is ambivalent about becoming a parent for the first time" to one in tune with the needs of his wife and son.
Along with this, the film follows a couple about to have their first child. Doctor visits are attended, interviews with the soon-to-be parents are had, and the birth is witnessed.
Being Dad
Unlike Pregnant Man, Being Dad focuses on the experiences of many fathers as Troy Jones travels to several cities with director Leslie Marsh, gathering a variety of people in laid back social settings.
Jones, who is about to experience parenthood, is able to learn from other fathers about everything from the moment of conception through a child's birth to include a variety of perceptions on sex during pregnancy. Expectant fathers will feel better prepared for their wives' pregnancies after watching this film, as such other topics as finances, premature birth, and labor are covered not just by the fathers, but also by childbirth experts, such as midwives and a gynecologist.
The film concludes at the birth of Troy Jones' child, who is delivered successfully.
The Business of Being Born
This controversial documentary will be a real eye opener for some.
Director Abby Epstein, who is pregnant with her first child during the production of this film, was brought on to this project after talk show host Ricki Lake had very different experiences between delivering her first child in a hospital and her second child at home.
This film is probably the most interesting of the three because of the many births that are experienced, one of which is a home birth that is rushed to the hospital for an emergency cesarean section surgery.
Surgery is discussed in detail as well as the different drugs doctors give women in labor. Also shown are the ways that women can be manipulated into having procedures or drugs they do not prefer during their birthing experience, such as pitocin and an epidural, which are often given to women at the same time despite their polarizing effects, according to several midwives and doctors interviewed.
Serious dads-to-be should be preparing for the birth of their unborn children. Not only will it give them insights to areas of pregnancy and labor they did not have before, it will also help them show support for their partner. With these three videos, not only will childbirth seem natural, but all of the seemingly confusing areas, such as one's feelings toward sex during pregnancy, will begin to make sense.
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