Men, Love & Birth — 2nd Edition

You are not a spare part in the birth room.

The practical guide that tells you exactly what to say and do whilst she is in labour — including caesarean and instrumental birth.

Men, Love & Birth — Second Edition by Mark Harris
Mark Harris — author of Men, Love & Birth
About the author

Thirty years in UK delivery rooms.

Mark Harris is a trained midwife with more than thirty years in birth work — a father of eight and grandfather of thirteen who has spent decades teaching men what actually helps in the birth room. Originally published by Pinter & Martin in 2015, this fully revised second edition is his own. He has a following of more than 12,000 across X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube who turn to him for straight-talking, practical guidance on what actually helps in the birth room.

30+ Years in UK delivery rooms
12k+ Following across social platforms
2015 First published, Pinter & Martin
Fully revised, September 2026

What's new in the 2nd edition

01

Caesarean & instrumental birth, in full

Two new dedicated chapters, reflecting that they now account for more than half of UK births.

02

Trauma-aware language, throughout

Every script and example has been rewritten with trauma-aware, consent-led language.

03

Updated UK statistics

Current NHS data on birth types, intervention rates, and partner involvement.

04

"Not spare parts," made practical

A clearer throughline: partners have a real job to do, and this book tells them what it is.

Who this book is for

If you're going to be in that room, this is for you.

Expectant fathers Birth partners Doulas Midwives Antenatal educators Men who want to understand birth better
Free download

What to Say in the Birth Room

Ten short lines that help — and the ones to avoid. A free PDF, straight from the book, that you can read in five minutes and remember in five seconds.

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Preview

The 10 Lines That Help

  • 1. "I'm not going anywhere."
  • 2. "Tell me what you need right now."
  • 3. "You're doing this. I've got the rest."
  • …and the seven that follow — yours free, with the why behind each one.
What readers say

From the people who see birth rooms every day

Fiona Astin

"It is so refreshing. It's honest, full of brilliant practical advice and just incredibly constructive. I'd urge all fathers-to-be to read it and do the exercises to prepare for the birth of their baby with confidence."

Fiona Astin

Emily Guiver

"Men are not simply there to watch, hold the bags and wait for the baby to arrive. They can be a hugely important, supportive and instrumental part of the birth experience. It's a brilliant resource for expectant fathers, and one I would wholeheartedly recommend to any man preparing to become a dad."

Emily Guiver · Pregnancy relaxation & hypnobirthing teacher · Everything Birth Baby Sleep

Mark Harris speaking at a birth conference Men, Love & Birth — Second Edition, book cover
For journalists & producers

Available for interview and comment

Mark Harris is available for interviews, expert commentary, and review copies on the subject of men, partners, and birth — including caesarean and instrumental birth, birth trauma in men, and maternity advocacy. The full press kit — biography, key facts, story angles and media assets — is a click away.

Open the press kit
Get your copy

Buy Men, Love & Birth

Paperback

Fully revised 2nd edition, September 2026.

£11.99
Buy on Amazon

Kindle

Instant download, same revised content.

£7.99
Buy on Amazon

Prefer a signed copy? Email me — direct from the author, while stocks last.

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