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

[doughnut]

I am not good with blood etc......I think i would have passed out at that. My heart goes out to doctors, nurses and paramedics....... and people like yourself.

Attended 2 c-sections. For the first, my wifes belly exploded from the pressure when the doctor inserted the scalpel. I was covered in blood and water, but felt sorry for the doctor whose face was just a few inches above the scalpel - he looked like something out of a horror movie. Nurses running around the room shouting "Flood! Flood!" and slipping on the floor, etc. It was bonkers. After things calmed down I stood up and monitored everything that was going on thinking these guys were complete amateurs. I insisted on counting all the needles, bandages, etc as they went in and came out again. It was all ok in the end though my wife had to spend nearly a week in hospital being monitored.

For the second, it was all going well and I was ready for anything. However, seemed to me that the anaethetist was a bit dodgy and kept pointing the gas and air mask at me while I was sitting holding my wifes hand. Shortly after the baby arrived I fainted and fell on the floor. 3 nurses rolled me onto a blanket and dragged me outside into the corridor and left me to wake up by myself.

After 2 c-sections my wife said thats enough and I whole-heartedly agreed with her.

 

[biggs682]

Yes i was

 

[Dave7]

Attended 2 c-sections. For the first, my wifes belly exploded from the pressure when the doctor inserted the scalpel. I was covered in blood and water, but felt sorry for the doctor whose face was just a few inches above the scalpel - he looked like something out of a horror movie. Nurses running around the room shouting "Flood! Flood!" and slipping on the floor, etc. It was bonkers. After things calmed down I stood up and monitored everything that was going on thinking these guys were complete amateurs. I insisted on counting all the needles, bandages, etc as they went in and came out again. It was all ok in the end though my wife had to spend nearly a week in hospital being monitored.

For the second, it was all going well and I was ready for anything. However, seemed to me that the anaethetist was a bit dodgy and kept pointing the gas and air mask at me while I was sitting holding my wifes hand. Shortly after the baby arrived I fainted and fell on the floor. 3 nurses rolled me onto a blanket and dragged me outside into the corridor and left me to wake up by myself.

After 2 c-sections my wife said thats enough and I whole-heartedly agreed with her.

That is wonderful.
We were so fortunate, we planned for both our daughter and son then decided that was enough for us.....I know my wife has passed away now but I have such happy memories.

 

[DaveReading]

When my first-born arrived 40-odd years ago, he was reluctant to emerge despite some spirited pushing.

So out came the Neville Barnes forceps, with a view to pulling him out by his head.

Normally (I was later told) partners are kicked out during the procedure (which is frankly a pretty brutal sight), so I scooted round to my wife's head, started mopping her brow and asked in a loud voice "Am I OK here, out of the way?". I must have said the right thing, because they let me stay.

I was tempted to offer to tug, but thought better of it.

 

[Alex321]

First (August '81) was an emergency c-section, for which I wasn't present - I had driven my wife to the hospital, but was kept in a waiting rom while they operated.

Second (Dec '82) was a normal birth and I was present.

 

[Dave7]

Some lovely stories here....as Dell Boy would say, im a soppy old sod.

 

[oxoman]

Yes for my 3 girls by my ex and yes to current wife and the 2 boys and all natural.

 

[gbb]

There for all three of mine, well technically the first two, the third was born at home in the downstairs toilet room with me on the wrong side of the door (it was a small room)
First, daughter, was an easy birth, no fuss.
Second, first son, there was an awful lot of running around across town to get there on time but get there i did.
Third, second son came so quick that he popped out just as the ambulance guy arrived, he shoved his arm around the door of the toilet to catch him as he popped out.

 

[Mike Ayling]

Yes, three natural births.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

My father was. I was born at home. Home births not so common now.

 

[Ian H]

Three between 1978 and 1988. Remarkably uneventful. We were lucky.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Yes, i was
Both of us worked at the Hospital, at the time
She in (bed/elective admission) management, me 'on the shopfloor'

 

[VinSumRox]

Yep 2 planned cesareans.

 

[Asa Post]

I was there throughout the (long, long) labour. Then it was decided that an episiotomy and forceps delivery was needed, and I was asked to wait in the corridor.
I've never been able to decide whether I was disappointed or pleased.

 

[DRM]

Yes, present for both, I also had a go at the gas & air, I can confirm why most ladies swear by it, it's good gear!