Image: iStock
Giving birth to a child is a massive ordeal. From conception to childbirth, both parents have a crucial role to play. And despite the involvement of dads in the journey, we seldom hear their side of the story, especially during delivery. While moms certainly have to bear the physical brunt of welcoming their child to this world, the presence of dads in the delivery room to support moms also makes way for stories worth telling, well, at least some of them.
Yes, fathers get to witness so much they never have before, which adds to their stress and makes them behave weirdly. Sometimes, they engage in sarcastic remarks that are in no way funny or utter ridiculous things that were better left unsaid. And all of this because they were never prepared for the whole process. They are left in a state of confusion, not knowing how to proceed next. Let’s take a look at some of the hilarious thoughts dads had or things they did in a delivery room. Trust us, they’ll leave you in splits:
1. “Ring Of Fire!”
A host of emotions surround the delivery room. When a woman is in labor, the father, too, goes through a whirlwind of emotions. After all, he is unaware of what to do or what to expect. And despite taking a course on what’s going on in the delivery room, the chances are that he may still be caught off guard. Indeed, the reality is disconnected from theory. One mom recalls her husband singing to her the Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash when she complained of the pain in her nether areas. The song definitely didn’t alleviate her pain or help bring a smile to her face. So, we can relate to why this didn’t sit well with mommy dear.
2. “How Much More Does She Need To Stretch?”
In a normal delivery, a woman’s private area stretches to a large extent. For some dads, it is mind-boggling to notice how much it widens, and they begin worrying about whether it will get back to its original size. One dad shared that he had heard of women tearing down there, but he couldn’t understand how a baby would come out of it, and everything remained intact. This dad will have to step back and imagine how his wife is supposed to feel about that statement (tch, tch).
3. “I’ll Finish This Chapter First!”
People find different ways to relieve themselves of the stress around the delivery room. Some try to do their best to help their significant other push the baby out, while others distract themselves with a phone or book of their choice. One mom-to-be shared her experience in the delivery room when she was undergoing heavy contractions. In the meantime, her husband was reading a chapter of a book. He remarked, “Could you wait for a minute more? I’ll finish this chapter first?!” Yeah, sure, mommy and baby will wait for an eternity!
4. “Something Smells Funky!”
Some people do need a warning before they enter the delivery room with the mom-to-be. This is especially true for dads with sensitive noses. Delivery rooms have a weird, funky smell, and if prepared, one can avoid some inappropriate questions. One father stated that a few months after the delivery of his son, he yelled out to the new mommy that the delivery room smelled weird. And for all good reasons, she did take offense to that. And as for us, we do feel sad about the embarrassment she had to go through.
5. “This Is Taking Too Long!”
Believe it or not, two fathers have actually said it. Labor may take a long time, and some dads are clueless about it. There could be a lot going on in the delivery room for doctors to confirm how quick the childbirth process could be. So, it’s better to prepare and wear comfy garments so that one doesn’t end up saying things like, “If I knew this would take so long, I would’ve worn my joggers instead”. Or worse, they begin complaining like a kid to the mom in labor about choosing clothes for the delivery day. We get it that dads are tired too, but spare the moms-to-be your tantrums when she’s so much in pain and thoroughly exhausted.
6. “It Can’t Hurt That Bad!”
It’s good to brush all unsolicited advice under the carpet. This is especially true for intense moments when there is nothing but chaos around you. Some fathers fail to understand how much it hurts when a mom is in labor. One mom says that even after eleven hours of labor and the epidural failing, her husband dared to comment that “Baby, It can’t hurt that bad!”. She glared at him, and that sent him out of the room for good. Despite having a higher pain tolerance, moms do need more empathy and understanding from their significant other. And like a wise woman once said, “no uterus, no opinions!”. We rest our case.
7. “A Body Part Is Missing.”
Some parents decide to have a surprise in the delivery room, reluctant to learn the baby’s gender in advance. But at times, even those who know the gender get a surprise. One couple who thought they were to be blessed with a baby boy was confused when the baby was born. The father commented, “A body part is missing”. In reality, he must have confused the genders. He failed to realize that his significant other had given birth to a baby girl. And we can only imagine what a relief it could have been to know that everything was fine with the baby!
Yes, there are moments of embarrassment in childbirth with all the mayhem in the delivery room. And dads, in some cases, have remarked in unusual ways, perfectly fit for a facepalm moment. What’s the dumbest thing your partner told you during labor? Do share your experience with us in the comments below!
