Were you men present for the birth of you child/children ?

[Dave7]

A comment in the football section sparked this question.
When my 1st was born, 1970, farthers were not allowed to stay in (in that maternity home anyway) so i had to sit in the corridor.
For the 2nd child I was able to stay. It was wonderful but made me feel ill. After the birth the nurse brought in a cup of tea.....I honestly thought it was for me as I needed one but my wife gulped down.....selfish woman

 

[fossyant]

There for both. Both two weeks late, and only started labour as my wife had had a 'sweep' both times, which quite often induces labour - both times it did. We were somewhat ready be the second, but had to wait for MIL to finish Corronation Street before she would come round to mind our 'eldest' - I kid you knot. My wife phoned her mum again and said 'you need to come now'. Got to the hospital and MrsF was 8cm dilated. Baby arrived within a couple of hours.

 

[PeteXXX]

I was there for the conception so thought I'd better be there for the birth, too 🥳

 

[Beebo]

It would be odd not to be present now.
But I know my dad wasn’t at my birth in the 70s. He was down the pub with my uncle.
It’s a cultural shift in the last few generations.

 

[gavroche]

No for my son in 1974, not allowed.
Yes for my daughter in 1978. Same hospital but the rules had changed by then.

 

[Drago]

Yes, for all of them.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Yes, for all of them.

That's not what several of them say

 

[numbnuts]

I was and even helped the mid-wife, and I was the first to hold the baby

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Yes - a horribly messy affair.

 

[figbat]

Yes - I separated both of my children from my wife.

 

[Webbo2]

Yes for my daughter in 1993 and was rather traumatic especially when the midwife said to to doctor just get the consultant down here I don’t want to lose this baby. 😱
Being a health professional I had talked to doctors who said make sure the midwife is in charge rather than the junior doctor.