Limoges Hospital Offers Training to Prepare Expectant Fathers for Childbirth
Faced with anxieties often unspoken to their partners, expectant fathers in Limoges, France, are now participating in dedicated workshops designed to address their concerns about pregnancy and childbirth. The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Limoges launched the program a year ago, offering a confidential space for future fathers to share doubts and seek information.
Jean-Benoît Chantelauze, a midwife at the CHU de Limoges, co-leads the sessions. “I was a father before becoming a midwife and found that things were missing,” he explained. “There are many stressed fathers in the delivery room, with numerous questions. The idea was to offer them a moment to ask those questions.”
The workshops aim to provide a forum for discussing sensitive topics that fathers may hesitate to raise with their pregnant partners. These include concerns about the mother’s well-being, managing labor pains, understanding medical interventions like epidurals, and navigating changes in intimacy during pregnancy. Participants have also voiced anxieties about potential complications, such as bleeding or reduced fetal movement.
“All mothers have insomnia at this time. Some may also have nightmares, I don’t understand if that’s the case with you, if they tell you or not necessarily?” Chantelauze posed to a recent group, fostering an open dialogue.
The sessions are structured to provide both emotional support and practical knowledge. Chantelauze utilizes diagrams to explain complex processes, such as the stages of cervical dilation, offering guidance on how fathers can best support their partners throughout labor. He emphasizes the importance of providing support during the initial phases of labor, which can be lengthy.
A participant in a recent workshop expressed his relief at gaining a better understanding of the birthing process. “I wanted to reassure my wife and be more present for the delivery,” he said. “Even if there are factors that we cannot control on the day, I will approach them differently.”
The workshops also address more intimate subjects, such as the impact of pregnancy on sexual desire. Chantelauze provides information on the risks associated with closely spaced pregnancies, including those following assisted reproductive technologies.
The CHU de Limoges offers a range of other prenatal classes, including those focused on sports during pregnancy, babywearing, and preparing for the arrival of a newborn. The workshops for fathers are held monthly, from 7 PM to 9 PM, and are proving increasingly popular. According to Chantelauze, mothers have reported that their partners “haven’t stopped talking about” the workshops after attending.
The CHU de Limoges announced the 2026 dates for the future fathers’ workshops on LinkedIn, signaling a continued commitment to the program.