My wife really wants me to attend the birth but I am completely
apprehensive about it. How do I know that I will cope?
It is completely normal to be afraid of labour and birth.
Unless you belong to the medical profession, you are probably
completely out of your depth in this situation. If you ask
other men who are in a similar situation, they will most
likely have similar feelings. The good news is that if you
ask men whose partners have already delivered their babies,
the vast majority will tell you that although they were
apprehensive, their fears were in vain. We have all heard
stories of men who could not cope with the delivery of their
child, but they are the exception rather then the rule.
Men do faint and get ill when their wives are delivering,
but very very few of them.
In fact one of the best things you can do for yourself
is to chat to other fathers, and hear a large variety of
stories. This will help you be prepared for the uncertainty
of the delivery room. Many things can happen in there, and
the trained staff are aware and prepared for that. So it
would help for you to be just as prepared. Read up so that
you understand the stages of labour, and the implications
of the situations that arise.
It is likely that your wife will appreciate your efforts,
and will enjoy being able to discuss her own fears and the
scenarios that she envisages. This would also be a good
time to discuss your wife’s birth plan, so that you
know what she hopes for. It may be that you can ensure that
things go her way if possible.
See also:
Father - Father
at caesarian
Father - Father’s
fear of delivery
Father - Father’s
fears
Father - Father's
moodiness
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