# Ep 23: Before the Birth: A Surgeon Prepares to Become a Father

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dad-manual-7554137/ep-23-before-the-birth-a-surgeon-prepares-to-become-a-father
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dad-manual-7554137/ep-23-before-the-birth-a-surgeon-prepares-to-become-a-father.md
Podcast: [The Dad Manual](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dad-manual-7554137)
Published: 2026-06-02T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/8533f8fb
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/8533f8fb/4182fe37.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-dad-manual-7554137/episodes/ep-23-before-the-birth-a-surgeon-prepares-to-become-a-father
Duration seconds: 2311

## Resource

What happens inside a man when he finds out he's going to be a dad — and he's still months away? Vascular surgeon and expectant father Lucas Ferrer joins Tony Cooper for a candid conversation about what life looks like at 25 weeks pregnant. Lucas opens up about the in-between feeling of impending fatherhood — the moments of disconnection at work and the gut-punch of feeling Santiago kick for the first time. Together, Tony and Lucas explore generational patterns, the fear culture Lucas grew up with in Puerto Rico, and the powerful model his grandfather set. This is a rare, honest look inside the heart and mind of a man preparing to become a dad. Key Takeaways: The emotional reality of expectant fatherhood often oscillates between disconnection and profound shock Becoming a parent heightens awareness of unconscious patterns and generational trauma Growing up around self-aware role models can shape a man's approach to fatherhood long before he becomes a father Fear of risk is a learned behavior — and it can be unlearned Being present as a father starts as an intention you set before the baby arrives A man's relationship with support and community matters as much as his individual inner work Finding a men's group or support network can be transformational, especially in the transition to fatherhood Shifting priorities away from career and toward family requires intentional planning, not just good intentions Speaking to your child before birth — in Lucas's case, in Spanish — is a simple, powerful act of early connection Fatherhood, at its core, is a call to become the best version of yourself If you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com . Connect with T…

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## Transcript

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