We need more Men as the protectors

This past conference we were blessed to have Dr. Stu speak The Reclaiming Birth Conference 2024.

Not only did he share his own personal story as an OB and the wealth of knowledge he has learned over the years, but he shared something else just as powerful.

What he shared wasn't in his talking points, it wasn't what was directly said - it was his presence.

A man standing up for women, to protect not only their birth experience but also their baby's.

He showed up as a man wanting to make positive change and impact.

We realized this is a crucial role that is missing.

We are missing the men, the protectors, the head of the family that creates feelings of safety and security. 

As women reclaim our bodies, our power, and our families, we also need the men to embark on this journey as they are the pillar of safety, strength, and love in the family. We need men to be protectors. Too often, men feel uncertain or unprepared for their role in the birth process. But their presence is not only needed—it is essential. Your strength, your love, your  support will help your partner navigate this profound, life-changing experience. You are not just a bystander; you are the guardian of the moment when new life begins
Men, fathers, you have the power to help your partner feel empowered. You have the ability to offer your partner a sense of peace, grounding, and trust. Women need to feel safe, loved, and supported as they move through one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. They don’t need you to “do anything” except to trust them deeply—because she trusts her body and the innate wisdom it carries. She will follow her intuition and allow her body to take over, but for her to do that, she needs to feel safe. She needs you to be her safety. She needs to know that her birth space is protected.

Our hope moving forward is that we will see more men, more families taking part in this movemet to reclaim birth.  It’s time we fully recognize and honor the critical role men play in the birth space. So often, men are left out of the conversations about obstetric violence, and yet their experiences are just as real, just as valid. What have they witnessed? What have they felt? What have they gone through in the face of trauma? How can we ask men to be the strong, resilient protectors they are, without acknowledging the impact of their own experiences? How did it feel when they couldn’t protect the ones they  loved in a moment of such vulnerability? How can we ask the men to take the role of protector when they aren't aware of what they are protecting against? They need to become strong advocates as well. We can’t overlook these questions. Men need healing too.

Healing can only happen together. We need men to show up: to listen, to bear witness to these truths, to learn,  to share their own stories, and to recognize their own trauma. Only through collective healing can we move forward.

Reclaiming Birth Conference 2025 will feature speakers who will focus on the important role men play in both birth and family life. We are thrilled to announce special guests, as well as a VIP day dedicated just for dads—a chance for fathers to come together, reflect, and heal. We hope you join us not just at this event, but in this movement, protecting the family unit.