A Dad's Guide to Birth Prep: What I Learned (Sometimes the Hard Way)

Let's face it, most dads won't start packing until mom's water breaks. I was heading down that exact path until my wife enrolled in OPT for Mama's birth prep course. At first, I'll admit I was skeptical about the investment – couldn't we just wing it like generations before us? But watching her confidence grow week by week, and realizing how much I didn't know, changed my perspective completely. Here's what I learned about truly being prepared – both from the course and from some trial-and-error moments:

1. Do a hospital visit – and actually pay attention to the details

The OPT for Mama course emphasized knowing your birth environment, which pushed us to do more than just a quick walkthrough. We learned what needs to be packed and what doesn't. Things to consider: Can you get food delivered? Do you need extra blankets? Will you be changing rooms or staying in the same room the whole time? Who is allowed to visit? How many visitors at a time? Can you connect a Firestick or Roku to the TV? This prep work paid off huge when we weren't scrambling to figure out logistics during labor.

2. Pack strategically, not frantically

I packed comfortable clothes I could live in for a few days, extra socks and underwear, basic toiletries, and extra outfits in case baby decided to christen me on day one. In terms of packing, I recommend minimizing chaos by bringing minimal items into the hospital room, with anything extra staying in the car. Trust me, there's plenty of time to sneak away for a quick restock.

3. Create the right atmosphere with a Bluetooth speaker

This was honestly one of the best investments I made, inspired by the course's focus on creating a calming birth environment. We had a relaxing playlist playing the entire time my wife was pushing, which helped us control the chaos and set a mood that put her in the right mental space. The course taught us that setting the atmosphere isn't just nice-to-have – it's strategic for supporting your partner through labor.

4. Have a "call the grandmas" communication plan

One thing the course taught us was that preparation reduces anxiety – for both partners. This inspired us to create a mini family communication plan. We decided to call my mother-in-law once we were checked into the room and my wife was relatively comfortable. This meant we knew we weren't being sent home and yet it still gave my MIL plenty of time to make the 3-hour drive to support us.

5. Be her advocate – but know what you're advocating for

Here's where the course really paid dividends. The medical professionals are experts, but you know your wife better than anyone. When she's in pain or having trouble focusing, you need to be her advocate when doctors are asking questions or decisions need to be made. For example, it's nearly impossible for her to answer questions mid-contraction – you might need to respond for her and get a thumbs up for confirmation. But here's the key: this only works if you know her birth plan inside and out. The OPT for Mama course walked us through creating a comprehensive birth plan together, so I wasn't just guessing at what she wanted in crucial moments.

6. Don't schedule anything the week of your due date (Learn from my mistake)

I attended a happy hour with out-of-town coworkers the same night my wife’s water broke, so she could say, "I told you so," and she start off her birth experience with a win. It helped me snap awake from a deep sleep at 2AM to quickly grab all the things I promised were "already packed." (The course has preparation checklists – use them!). I’ll probably choose to skip the happy hour next time…

The Bottom Line Initially, I questioned whether we needed to invest in a comprehensive birth prep course. Couldn't we just figure it out as we went? But watching my wife's confidence build through the OPT for Mama program, and seeing how much more prepared I felt as her birth partner, made it clear this wasn't just an expense – it was an investment in our family's best possible start. The course didn't just prepare her; it prepared both of us to work as a team when it mattered most.

To the dads reading this: your support and preparation matter more than you think. Don't leave it to chance.