I watched every, wanting to implant the moments when my children entered the world. Nothing gory about it. It was wonderful.
“Surely no sensible woman would expect her husband to be anywhere else but a big cricket match”
Gotta love the Brits!
Most men today can’t imagine NOT being there for their kids’ births. But that wasn’t the case a few short decades ago. There shouldn’t be the pressure to be there, tho the husband’s role is to be an emotional support and strength to his wife.
here are the facts......women carry babies inside, women give birth, women lose lots of blood doing it, and its very painful, and there is no sharing the pain.....
and to put the myth to bed about doctors "delivering" babies....MOTHERS give birth, the doc is there to catch the baby but he does not do the delivering....moms do that all by themselves....
I think it would be good to get back to male/female roles and stop thinking one sex can do it all OR needs to take part in every single thing..
here are the facts......women carry babies inside, women give birth, women lose lots of blood doing it, and its very painful, and there is no sharing the pain.....
and to put the myth to bed about doctors "delivering" babies....MOTHERS give birth, the doc is there to catch the baby but he does not do the delivering....moms do that all by themselves....
I think it would be good to get back to male/female roles and stop thinking one sex can do it all OR needs to take part in every single thing..
Fathers should not be forced or otherwise in the delivery room. I never allowed my husband anywhere near the delivery room. I felt this was a private moment between me and my babies.
The father of mine went through classes, took me to hospital, promised to be with me and did not show up while I was in labor or for delivery and left hospital before I woke up. Explain that guys
I have 4 kids, all adults now. The first was born in a hospital after a really long labor. The next 3 came so quick, I actually delivered all 3 at home. The wife was so quick, she just had no time to get to the hospital. I am listed on their birth docs as father and physician.
It is quite obvious this guy did not grow up on a farm nor did he ever have a female pet. Surprised by the afterbirth? Really?
He was there at conception, he should be there at delivery.
Seriously, I cannot imagine a father who would not welcome being on the scene when his child takes his/her first breathe.
Of course, I know that many men these days couldn’t care less about the impending birth of their child.
And I am not a feminist. I am a realist.
I was very glad that my hubby was there for our two boys’ births. He provided moral support, comfort, and a clear head. Our older son went into distress and I ended up with emergency surgery. While I’m confident the medical team would have taken care of everything without his presence, I was more at ease knowing he was there and that he thinking clearly on our behalf. It was exhausting for him, and it’s a wonder I didn’t break any of his fingers during labor, but I know he wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
Watching my daughters being born were the most profound and beautiful experiences of my life. But I don’t think I’d ever want to see anybody else’s kids being born.
I’ve been present at the births of all ten of my children, six of them at home.
Wouldn’t miss this most important of occasions for anything. It’s part of my job as a husband and father.
April 28, 1980 I delivered my daughter at home. We, myself, mom and 11 year old step daughter all went to our doctor of choice’s meetings, with other like minded parents to be, over the course of pregnancy. We were given specific instructions that had to be followed or be discharged from the program. Any possible complications with the pregnancy or and a hospital delivery was the only option.
Wife broke water and went into labor. A midwife arrived some time later and finally the doctor. He had a seat and after some observation said to me “why don’t you deliver the baby”. Surprised and after some simple works of instruction from him, I guided our daughter out and placed her on her moms chest. She immediately crawled to her moms breast and began nursing. We waited for the pulse in the cord to cease and our now 12 year old daughter calmly and firmly stated that she should be allowed to cut the cord. I handed her the scissors.
Bonding at it’s best!
Wuss! Don't forget your catcher's mitt and you'll be fine.
IMO the father should be OUTSIDE, handing out cigars.
I’ve never been fortunate enough to have a baby, so I can’t speak from personal experience. But I understand there is often a point during labor where the mother begins screaming at the dad, (”Look what you did to me, this is your fault,” etc.,) and the sweetest little lady will begin using the most awful swear words. Dads-to-be are warned about that in Lamaze class. I wonder if that isn’t Mother Nature’s way of saying that men aren’t supposed to be there. (Please don’t flame!)
Also, isn’t it true that some men, after watching their wives give birth, have trouble feeling attracted to them after that? That could be another sign.
Perhaps things were better in the days when the dad paced in the waiting room, a nurse came out and told him whether it was a boy or a girl, and then he passed out cigars!
Many years ago, 39 and 38 to be exact, my children were born.
I cared a great deal about my wife and was just as excited as she was that we were going to be parents.
At the time, it wasn’t very common for fathers to request to be in the delivery room. There was no way I was going to take a pass on it.
I helped my wife get in that position, and I was going to be there at her shoulder during the process. I was there to comfort her any way I could.
Today, those two births are probably the most memorable moments in my life. I wouldn’t trade them for any other experience.
Ladies, yes you carry the children. You have my respect for doing so. IT IS NOT your moment alone with the child. It is your husband’s moment too.
If you don’t want him by your side for your comfort, at least have the class to allow him to be there for the experience.
Men, you will decide for yourself how much you do. I didn’t catch the baby or take possession, or anything else. The mother should hold the baby first as long as she is capable. I wasn’t there to rain on her parade at all. I will tell you, being there during the birth and the moments just after, were amazing moments.
Don’t miss out on this dads. Don’t let some wimp ass nincompoop scare you into thinking this will be a terrible ordeal for you. It won’t be. I can’t remember one bad memory from it.
Ladies, it’s okay for you to think you can do this all by yourself. In many instances you can. In many instances you can’t. Physicians are there to assist you. They are there to make sure your body is capable of returning to a healthy situation as soon as possible after birth.
Now, while you can deliver by yourself, mortality rates are low, because there is a team there to assist you. These doctors and nurses have seen just about everything, and any complications become non important because they handle them calmly and efficiently, so much so that parents don’t even know there was a problem most of the time.
Anyone who thinks they are just catchers, really needs to study up on the subject.
Pretty funny article!
My husband and I were never blessed with living children.
But had we been, I would have wanted him with me. This is a life we created together. I wouldn’t have wanted my Mom or sister. Since the poor guy couldn’t even say “pregnant” without blushing...it would probably have been a hard task for him.
But he would have done it. Even if he passed out later, lol. He loved me and would have loved our child and in his heart he would know that if I desired his presence he would be there.
Heck, if I had said “Honey, I have to walk thru hell and I need you to go with me” he wouldn’t have said Yippee. But he would darn sure have gone. And I for him.
I delivered my last four children, at home.
Afterbirth is a sure sign we’re descended from aliens. Cthulu, probably.