For decades, the father would wait in the lobby while the mother experienced labor. Over time, more and more fathers started going into the delivery room to offer support. Surprisingly, there are moms and midwives who wish the father would still be outside waiting in the lobby.
A Father’s Support During a Child’s Birth is Preferable
Research conducted by the University of Toronto suggests that women have less difficulty during childbirth when they receive support from a woman familiar with the trials of childbirth rather than from a stressed out male partner. This woman who is selected by the mother could be her own mother, a friend who is also a mother, or a doula, a woman professionally trained as a birth partner.
The majority of men actually want to be present for the birth because the baby is a part of them. If administered properly, the father’s help can be an invaluable tool, and many couples later state that being together during the birth is an astonishing bonding experience. On the other hand, some men do not want to see their partners in pain, and others feel that seeing their children being born will turn them off sex with their partners.
Advice for Fathers Who Plan on Attending the Birth of their Babies
As soon as you realize that your partner is expecting, you should sign up for pre-natal classes and make an effort to digest all the information you can about the birthing process. This way you can offer your partner assistance and be there for her.
Your biggest concerns during the birth are your partner and the baby. You are there to help them in any way that you can. While it may seem that what you will be doing will not mean much, you should know that your partner will love you more than ever for standing by her side.
During labor and delivery, you are likely to see a side of your woman that you may have never seen before. When she screams and curses at you, don’t take it personal because she does not mean any of it. If you were in her shoes, you would probably say worse.
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