SAN ANTONIO – When you hear "birthing expert" or "doula", you picture a woman.
But what would you think if "she" was a "he?"
Meet a male doula, who helps not just the mom-to-be, but the dad-to-be as well.
Welcome to the Rocking Dad's class. An introduction to the birthing experience, taught by …
"I'm Brian Salmon, I'm the birth guy."
That's right. 46-year-old Brian Salmon is a birthing expert, known as a doula. He's a man in a woman's world, and it brings up a lot of questions.
"The biggest one is oh my god … how would a woman want a male doula at their birth?" said Salmon.
But many do. Brian's classes are packed, and one main reason begins long before the delivery room. He helps dads get ready for their child's birth in the rocking dads class.
His sense of humor helps put these soon-to-be dads at ease, that and the fact that this birthing expert … is a guy.
"I think he's a likable dude, and really brings a lot of comfort to the subject," Eval Avnon, an expectant dad, said.
His information is solid knowledge. Brian has studied biochemistry, physiology, and has a degree in radiology. One topic he teaches dads … the benefits of breast feeding.
Salmon said, "The baby is getting antigens from mom, it prevents breast cancer, certain types of breast cancer in mom, certain types of uterine cancer in mom."
Clint Belew is a graduate of Brian's rocking dads class, he said, "I tell all my friends, you know, anybody that's having a baby coming up, I'm going hey you gotta go and see this guy cuz he's gonna change your whole experience."
You can find Brian's 'birth guy' videos on-line, along with a lot of other information at thebirthguy.com. And to become a birth doula yourself, go to dona.org.