Here is a story about a Dad's journey into Fatherhood.

"A Dad's Delivery-Room Anxieties
One father faces his fears of bodily fluids, fainting and eternal humiliation:"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8554514/wid/6448213/


When we had our boys, my husband was right there, the best I could ask for! I'll tell you what he said about the umbilical cord, "It's one of the most beautiful things in the world!! It's so intricate, woven, each part its own function, amazing!" and he wasn't joking! He really thinks so. He watched the entire deliveries of both our sons, natural and emergency caesarean section. Of course he'd been told, as the father telling his story here, "Don't look or go down there." He did and watched the entire journeys of our little boys. I'm sure he was as anxiety ridden on the inside as the father telling his story, but it didn't show.......until later in the day. lol

What things have you done to help your husband along, to reassure him?

That was a touching story. My husband was a champ through the whole experience. He only missed one Pre-Natal visit and was there through the entire delivery. He did not, though, cut the cord. He teased the doctor that "that's what we're paying you the big bucks for" and said the nurses did the rest of the work.

that was such a cute story. my husband missed most of my first pregnancy. he wanted to move to florida. so he was working here till his health insurance started. i worked in ny. then i moved down. it was easier that way. i think he only went to one of my appointment, i'm glad i had a sonogram that day.
by the time i was ready to deliver i was living in fl with him again. so he was with me in the delivery room. i had to have a c section. the dr let him come in the room with me but he wouldn't let my husband watch. he was soo dissapointed he loves watching sergerys. and he didn't get to cut the cord either.
for this next one i'm going to have to ask the dr if he can watch and cut the cord. if it doesn't happen we may have to try for a 3rd time. lol

Courtney, I am so happy for you that your husband is able to be with you this time around! You both are so excited and it shows!

VegasMom and Courtney, our doctor handed my husband the sissors when I began pushing. He didn't know where to put his hand/arm at that point. We all laughed about it, just a funny moment (like you, VegasMom, and your husband teasing the doctor).

Come to think of it, I don't think he was even given an option with cutting the cord, but he would have even if the sissors weren't handed to him. He was an amazing part of our entire pregnancies and births. He's a great Daddy.

You know, with our second we had the emergency c-section (see Cord Issue thread), but he was allowed to look/watch, Courtney. He took a bunch of pictures and then came back up by my head. He didn't cut the cord the second time because our little guy was taken immediately to the side for the Neonatalogists and Specialists to tend to him.

Hopefully, your husband will be able to this time. I see no reason short of an emergency situation where he wouldn't be able to??? It's a good question for your doctor. Let us know and btw, how are you feeling these days???

I had two c-sections. My daughter was an emergency due to preeclampsia and my son was prescheduled due to the first. He was there with both of them. He couldn't cut the cord but was there and watching and supporting. He was great!!

My husband Eric was with me both times. My first son I actually went through labor and pushing and then a C sec. and my second son was a planned C section.
I was a nervous wreck both times. It was my husband who did all the comforting!! LOL..
A side of him emerged that I had never seen before [not that I didn't think he was capable]...but suddenly this masculine man was very nurturing and calm and new exactly what to do when I forgot and started panicking! I truly could not have done it without him!

TerraNoelle, that is so sweet. Thank you for sharing your story.

Eddy had never gone through vaginal birth before Ryan. Brandon and Austin were both c-section babies with his first wife. I think he was in shock that it took so long. It was funny to hear him tell the story how he was up all night having to sleep on a pull out sofa at the hospital. Ha honey! At least he was pain free! I was lying in a hospital bed not allowed up (water broke) gritting each contraction all night (we got in the room about 10 that night).

By about 9 the next morning Eddy was like, "why isn't the baby here yet” He was starting to panic. I was lying in the bed reassuring him the whole time. He never left my side. When the contractions became mind numbing I did start vomiting and he was sweet and wiped my face with clean wet wash clothes and held the little "puke" trays for me. Eddy really is a very maternal man- but he does not handle stress well. If we have a situation at our house, I'm the one to relax everyone and point out what needs to be done.

When Lilly was a c-section I think Eddy was relieved and disappointed. He said he would not trade the birthing experience with Ryan with anything (cool points, cool points)

Even with the c-section I vomited- it was the morphine, I HATE morphine! Eddy was there to help the whole time. Looking back, and I do think this is sweet, he dropped me like a hot potato when those kids came out. He would be with me, and once they were delivered he wanted to see what I made for him.