It's Family Time

"Bras were meant to be supportive; men were meant to be.. well.. men." When it comes to having a snapper (Irish novelist Roddy Doyle's outrageous slang for "baby"), the stereotypical man is usually at the local pub hoisting a brewski and watching a ball game on the telly, while his wife is undergoing the rigors of hell in the delivery room. It doesn't have to be that way. As It's Family Time, an informative and humorous look at obstetric education, developed under the guidance of Duke University, makes clear, men can and should join their significant others in the delivery room and act more like bras than...well.. men. The program follows the (mis)adventures of Kathleen and Allan through each trimester as they encounter a series of new challenges and make several trips to childbirthing classes (although Kathleen actually makes more trips to the restroom). Viewers will learn up-to-date information on changes that a woman's body (and mind) undergo during pregnancy, the importance of good nutrition ("chocolate is not a part of the food pyramid, exercise do's and don't's, genetic testing, sex during pregnancy, and why pregnant women should be cautious around cat litter, among other topics. The video makes good use of flip charts, in utero footage, and solid info in a warm and winning presentation. And, guys, why on Earth would you want to quaff a Bud and watch the Knicks when you could join your wife in labor and hear her scream: "you ask me one more stupid question and I'm going to rip out your chest hairs one by one." Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)