Delhi’s Mr Moms go to school to learn about those nine months

Buddihiraj, 29, told The Indian Express, "I started attending childbirth classes during my wife’s ninth month at Nutan Pandit school in Defence Colony. I should have started during her seventh month. That would have been more helpful. Amrita is due any day now. When she goes into labour, I’ll be there by her side”.

Many more, like him, have shed their inhibitions and mental blocks. Take the case of garment factory owner Manish Virmani. After attending the childbirth classes, he no longer panicks each time his wife complains of pain in the abdomen. He also keep count when his wife does the breathing exercises that help in reducing pain.

Says wife Anjali Virmani, "Unlike many husbands, Manish does not feel embarassed attending childbirth classes. Instead, after attending the classes, he feels very involved in the entire process. He knows that what I am going through. At just Rs 1,800 for seven classes, my husband is a different person”.

Virmani even accompanies his wife for regular consultation with their gynaecologist. And when the final moment arrives, he won’t shy away either.

Suresh Arora, a computer professional, even mastered childbirth exercises so that he could help his pregnant wife do them regularly. During childbirth classes, his teacher asked him to indulge his wife and keep her happy. When D-Day arrived, he took permission from the gynaecologist to stand by his wife in the labour room, holding her hand, till the baby was delivered.

Psychiatrist Dr Achal Bhagat explains the trend: "It is true that many men are showing a new-found interest in parenting. The men are changing because the women changed long before they did. They want their husbands to take an equal share in parenting work."

Moreover, the younger generation of fathers may have been distressed by their fathers not being there with them, argues Dr Bhagat. Thus, they want to spend more time with their children. Exposure to Western lifestyles, where it is common for men to attend lamaze classes, is also changing old-customs.

"Over the years, men who showed interest in their wives’ pregnancies were considered henpecked," says natural childbirth expert Pandit. "During childbirth classes, we teach them that it is healthy to be interested in your wife’s pregnancy. We make them realise that it is important to indulge their wives. If a man has a happy wife, he will have a happy mother and a happy baby too."

Many men are also making it a habit to call on the wife’s gynaecologist every now and then. Dr Naina Koli, gynaecologist, Apollo hospital, says: "Many young husbands accompany their wives for regular consultations. The dads-to-be even seek advice about the books they should read up. And when they get the books, they come back to me with several doubts."

Men’s interest in their babies does not end once they arrive. Many young fathers like K V Vasunathan are no longer embrassed to admit they are maternal’ fathers. He chats with friends, colleagues and anyone else who is willing to listen to him about his baby’s progress. He does not mind telling his boos that he has come to office feeling groggy, because he has spent an entire night attending to his bawling baby.