Fathers at Their Children’s Births
I was present when all three of my children were born. And that was in the early 1970s. In fact most of the fathers I knew in those days had been present.
I think it helped everybody, even if it was just to hold hands at a stressful time. In fact, by the third my wife was getting to enjoy childbirth a lot more and it was a much better occasion.
I can’t father children any more, so it won’t happen, but would I do it again? Yes!
But then we have this article in The Times. It contains this.
Michel Odent, a leading French obstetrician and author, will argue that men should not be present in the delivery room when women give birth, as their anxiety can be catching and make labour longer, more painful or likely to result in a Caesarean section. Men now attend more than 90 per cent of births in the UK, a proportion that has grown significantly since the 1950s.
Dr Odent believes that the birth process had become too “masculinised” in recent years, and delivery of babies would be easier if women were left with only an experienced midwife to help them, as used to be the case.
“It is absolutely normal that men are not relaxed when their partners are giving birth, but their release of adrenaline can be contagious,” he said yesterday. “When a woman releases adrenaline she cannot release oxycytin, the main hormone involved in childbirth, which can make labour longer and more difficult.”
In my view he’s talking rubbish.
The Anonymous Widower 
I agree, even though we didn’t have children, but I cannot imagine trying to go through that without him with me! Having your husband close keeps you calmer, makes you feel safer, than if he were not in the room.
Comment by Boo Mayhew | November 29, 2009 |
It’s a strange time childbirth. And not just for the one who does all of the work. Couples should be together.
I remember when my last one was born, we were both telling the doctor that he’d arrive in an hour or so and they said it would be at least four or five. But then she was repeating her pattern of the two previous births of starting slowly and finishing in a rush.
Eventually they took notice of me and our son was born in a desperate panic and hurry. I got an apology.
Comment by AnonW | November 29, 2009 |