For women who have had babies-Did you allow your father to see the delivery?

[princesspumpkin]

After watching so many "A Baby Story's" where women have their family members at the delivery, it makes me wonder how many people have their fathers (or brothers or grandfathers) at their deliveries. My father wasn't alive when I had my daughter, but if he was alive, I don't think that I could have had him looking at my "you know". You know?

 

[Virgo10]

Well my "Kids" are now 29 and 27 so the answer is no. However I did have my father come with me when I had an ultrasound with my daughter. I'll never forget the look on his face when he saw her outline on the monitor.

When my brother and I were born, dads were relegated to the waiting room... or the local bar. He spoke about being by my side for years and I'm so glad he had a chance to be a part of something that men were denied for such a very long time.

If it had been allowed, way back then, I would have at least asked if he wanted to be there.

Roberta

 

[aprilgail2]

I didn't let ANYONE other than the Dr's and nurses see her delivery!!!! I had NO desire to have ANYONE else in the delivery room but me!

 

[Boo'sMom]

For my first DS, just me and my DH.
For my second DS, me, DH, my best girlfriend, and my mother.
For third child, a DD, it was me, DH, BOTH of my parents, and my girlfriend and her husband...who are actually my childrens' godparents.
It didn't bother me at all........AFTER the epidural....

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Just my husband with me at all 3 deliveries. There were times when I felt like kicking him out! Just kidding.

I didn't even want our parents at the hospital. I had long deliveries and I didn't want the stress of knowing people were "waiting" for me to hurry up and deliver. They did come after I was in labor for about 20 hours and they waited for 3.

I would not want my parents or ILs in the delivery room.

Lori

 

[zurgswife]

Just my DH during the actual delivery...my dad lives too far away...but he did watch the video of the birth of my oldest later on....

 

[Serena]

My h was with me at both deliveries and I didn't want anyone else.

 

[jipsy]

No my father didn't go in, neither did my mother. When my son was born they only allowed the father of the child to come in.

I don't think your father would be looking at your "you know", as you put it. It's my understanding they observe from being behind your head.

 

[Barb D]

For my first two kids, I didn't want anybody but DH...and NO VIDEO. For #3, we planned on having the big kids, who were then 6 and 8, in the room (standing near my head) just for the actual delivery. The doctor told us that it would be about an hour, so we called my mom to bring the kids to the hospital. Very soon after that, though, DD's heart rate dropped, and the doctor was just about to do an emergency C-section. He did one last check and saw that I had dilated VERY, VERY fast and was able to deliver without the C-section. DD was born blue and not breathing, and they had to do a resuscitation on her. By the time my mom and the kids got there, everything was calmed down. I was SO glad they missed the birth and stressful time immediately afterward.

More than you asked, I guess!

BTW, DD is 4 now and perfectly healthy, and nagging me as I type this for breakfast!

 

[momm2four]

My dad didn't arrive in town in time for the first baby to be born, but he got here about 30 min. before the second. THe instant that the nurse said, "It's time to push", my dad bolted out of that door, fast as anything,

He died three weeks later, so he wasn't around for my third and fourth. That said, I would not want any man other than my DH to be in there. That's just a little too personal for me.

I used to watch those baby shows too, and I was always amazed at the sheer number of people that some women had in her room while she was giving birth.

Lori P.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

The first time my DH was with me all through the labor, but at the last minute I was rushed into surgery for a Csection and they didn't have time for him to suit up too. But, for my second child, he and my Mom were both in there for the planned Csection. I got tickled though, even though they had a drape across by shoulder area so the family behind me couldn't see, he was so tall, that he saw everything anyway. I guess we were lucky he didn't pass out on us!
Kim

 

[powellrj]

nope, just my DH for the last 2. The 1st was an emergencey C-section and the last 2 were planned so DH was there for both of those. I am not sure I would ever want to be at someones birth. Its such a private moment, I would feel like I was intruding.

 

[pixiemomma]

I didn't want my father to stay but he did. I went very quickly from 5 centimeters to fully dilated. The only part that bothered me was he tried to take pictures during the actual delivery. He stopped when the nurse, my OB and my husband all yelled no in unison.

 

[candykisses]

Just my husband was with me. I had the boys natural...Brad in 4 hrs and Ryan in 12 min. Not long labors, but they were intense. I didn't know how I would react and I certainly didn't want an audience.

My mother had hinted that she wanted to be in delivery and I laughingly told her that other than the delivery team, the only other people that will be there were the ones that were there during conception.

I don't regret that decision. To me it was a very private moment.

 

[Kitty 34]

1st DS.....my SIL only was there and as my first DH was in the service.

2nd DS.....DH and my Mom

3rd DS.....DH only

 

[Pin Wizard]

NO WAY! I was far from that happening since both my dad and husband had died beforehand. But still! It would just be my husband if anyone. I can't even imagine a female outside of the nurses!! However, my doc scheduled a c-section in advance and highly encouraged me to get "someone" there with me. Ended up having a female friend at the time. That was weird enough. But she was up by me and they had put screening up so you couldn't see a thing any way. Yea!! It was definitely a weird experience. I've always been so happy that my husband got to see the baby in an ultrasound when I was 11 weeks. That was the only time he saw him.

 

[Chattyaholic]

When my DS was born they were just beginning to allow fathers in the delivery room, so DH was there, and for our DD's birth too, but nobody else. Not sure I would have asked my Mom, if I had had the opportunity.

I was not asked to be present at my first and second grandchildren's birth, but that was all right. No problem.

Now DD is expecting their first baby in January, and she has asked me to be in the delivery room with her and her DH and I am thrilled about it!! I never would have hinted that I'd like to be there, but I'm so happy she asked!! It will be awesome!!!

 

[Randi]

Call me old-fashioned, but I never thought of having a baby as a spectator sport. Heck, I didn't even want to see what was going on! In my opinion, the best part is afterward when you actually get to meet your baby.
It's nice to have a choice now though for those who want family around them.

 

[Annette_VA]

Nooooo!

Just the dr, nurses, dh, & me.

 

[Microcell]

Originally posted by Serena
My h was with me at both deliveries and I didn't want anyone else.

Ditto!