Dads in the Delivery Roomby Heather Long | More from this Blogger 16 Jul 2006 07:23 AM In the 1970s, Paul Anka released: You're Having My Baby and that was a seminal moment in the realm of babies and having babies for mothers and fathers everywhere. You know the iconic images of when mothers gave birth the father's job was to pace the halls nervously and pass out the cigars when the nurse comes out to announce the birth. Modern Day Fatherhood The modern day concept of fatherhood involves dads being in the delivery room and on hand for the arrival of their new baby. My husband used to say he wouldn't be in the delivery room when our daughter was born, but when the day came - he was the first in the door and undomesticated equines couldn't drag him away. The problem many dads run into is that they aren't sure what they are supposed to do when they are in the delivery room. The father's job in the delivery room is to be supportive of the woman about to give birth. But what else should he do? If you ask, many fathers felt like they were in the way, but that there is always a crucial moment during the delivery when they are needed - for my husband - that was the point where my back seized up and his was the only voice that penetrated the pain. Birth Day When our baby was born, my husband used to say he would never make it in the delivery room. Yet, when the moment of truth came - there he was. He was the picture of calm - though the recitations of Bill Cosby's Fatherhood definitely helped to lighten the mood. He was one of the first people to ever hold our daughter and he beamed with pride as they did her Apgar tests and he stood on that side of the room giving me the running commentary. For the first hour after she was born while I was separated from the baby, he took full charge as hovering dad - the second neatest thing that happened after they laid her in my arms was seeing the look in his eyes. So many soon to be dads worry about how they are going to master this love of a small baby and I think being in the delivery room is the first step in a bonding experience. He's never regretted the experience and years later, when he talks about those first few minutes after her birth, he brims with the pride of a dad who was there at the first crucial moment in his baby's life. What was your dad experience in the delivery room? More Fatherhood Books: The Guy's Guide to Surviving Pregnancy, Childbirth and the First Year of Fatherhood The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-To-Be Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads Learn more about Heather Long  Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago. Relevantbaby tags User Comments  Valorie Delp (49340) 16 Jul 2006 07:35 AMMy husband, who could easily win a "dad of the year award" was HORRIBLE in the delivery room. He was there, wouldn't have had it any other way, but he watched sports center the whole time! Once when I announced that another contraction was coming, he actually said, "Can it wait? There just about to show the games highlights?" I told him not to come to the twins' birth but he did much better the 4th time around!  QueenAngie Central Illinois, USA |
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