For expectant parents in the military, one of the hardest parts of leaving for active military duty may be knowing that the father of the baby will not be there when his child is born. His concerns may include who will be there for his wife when the labor starts, who will be with her during labor and birth, and who will help her after the baby comes. He may even understand the added stress on the mother during this time and wish that he could be there to help. He may also wish he could be a part, but he knows that he will be many miles away serving his country and may not be free to fly home for the event. A woman's whose partner is away on active military duty may share the father's concerns regarding missing the birth of his child and they may want someone at the birth who can help document the experience on film. If she doesn't have family near her, she may need the added emotional and physical support of another woman there for her during the birth experience. She may also want additional help and support after the birth while adjusting to the new baby, perhaps to care for additional children in the home, and/or help with household chores while she is recovering. Birth Support for Military Families is
a project to assist military families by providing birth assistance at a
reduced fee when the father is on active duty service at the time birth
is expected. Families may apply for the program by providing proof of active
duty assignment prior to the due date. A limited number of spaces are available
each month to ensure that families will be adequately cared for when the
need is greatest. Assistance is provided by a number of doulas, monitrices,
and midwives in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. The project is actively supported by Titus 2 Birth Services and The North Texas Association of Christian Childbirth Professionals. If you are interested in this service,
please contact Kathy or call 817-929-6671 and request more information.