Many dads describe watching their wives giving birth as one of the most unique experiences of their lives. Moreover, medical professionals assert that the father’s involvement is quite beneficial (1) . Some men feel anxious, while others feel uplifting energy throughout labor. Whatever the case, the only person who gets most affected in these situations is the mother herself. So, is it wise to let the father in the delivery room? Here in this article we have highlighted the pros and cons of a dad’s choice to participate in the special moment.
Pros
1. He’ll Be Able To Support You Emotionally
Your husband can help you during labor pains. First, he will ease you by talking to you and getting you in a comfortable position by taking away all the tension and stress. Then, after delivery, he’ll sit next to you. Doesn’t it sound calming?
2. His Bond With The Baby Will Improve
The millennials know how important it is to support their child in every situation. So, watching his son or daughter taking birth will be a foundation for all the actions he’ll be taking to provide them with the best care. This life-changing experience will improve the baby-father relationship for sure.
3. He Will Cherish This Birth All His Life
If he is going to be the father for the first time, his presence during the delivery also means a lot to him. He will not miss this opportunity to enter the operation room and watch his little one coming into the world. So he’ll be the happiest person that day.
4. He Can Provide Everything A Mother Needs
During the labor pain, he knows he can only give his wife emotional support and mental strength, but after the birth, the mother will need everything in her bed because she won’t be able to move right away. So he will be there to hand over her meals, and other facilities to make her feel comfortable.
5. He’ll Become More Responsible
Taking care of a baby, even when it is in the mother’s womb, is a big responsibility for a father. After watching them take birth and holding them for the first time in his hands, a father will have a sense of responsibility to provide this apple of his eye with the best life possible.
Cons
1. He Can Cause A Disturbance
If it’s his first time in the delivery room, he might not know the dos and don’ts. And it’s a trend to take videos and photos of the baby during the birth, which can cause disturbance to the doctors and staff.
2. His Habits Or Actions Might Irritate The Mother
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make the mother very moody, and she might not welcome any behavior or habit that causes her irritation. As she will be in immense pain, having people around who, instead of comforting her, make her feel frustrated by doing some activities like biting their nails or sounding impatient can cause a lot of trouble.
3. He Might Sound Impatient
Delivery can take time. It varies from person to person, so having a man around who doesn’t understand being supportive and wants everything according to their will might not be a suitable addition in the delivery room. If he sounds impatient during the delivery, it causes more stress to the mother, which will not help her.
4. He Might Feel Uncomfortable
After witnessing the birthing, some men begin to feel emotionally vulnerable. This feeling occurs due to their limited ability to assist, the staff’s avoidance, and their growing fear for the mother’s health. All these situations can make him feel neglected and uncomfortable in minutes. So, if he’s a first-timer, someone should guide him beforehand rather than making him feel unwanted in the room.
5. His Presence Might Not Go Well As Expected
Men can do all sorts of extensive talks, like behaving correctly and avoiding impatience before entering the delivery room, but it might not go as expected. Seeing their better half in pain during labor can drastically affect their thought process, and they might start to show panic, which will cause both the mother stress and complicate the delivery process.
Holding your newborn baby in your arms or watching them come into this world is a one-of-a-lifetime experience; none can express this feeling more than the parents themselves. But since this is an emotional moment for the mother, having the father around can be both beneficial and disturbing. Hopefully, you’ve got your answers to what should be the final decision around this dilemma. So, what’s your take on having the father of the child in the delivery room? Let us know in the comments section!