Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jodum5 
Being old school, I have no interest seeing a woman give birth. I've heard stories and for the sake of our sex life I would rather be in the waiting room with a glass (or three) of scotch and a cigar. Let her mom view the mess.
I wish this option had been available to me - our forefathers were much more civilised.
To the original poster: I've done it twice. Long spells of boredom broken by harrowing moments, which become more frequent (and more harrowing) until the baby sees fit to emerge. If your wife requests your presence, you're not going to be able to wriggle out of it, but you will be useless. You're not there for "support" but to give the ceremony the imprint of a proper, modern birth. Women want to organise their labour in the same way they organise their weddings: This is the age of Wombzilla.
Stay away from the business end and let the professionals do their work. Resist the urge to punch the "doula" when she begins chanting. Enjoy the sensation of your life changing forever. Within a couple of years, you will have recovered and you'll be very happy. Children are wonderful. Birth and babies, less so.
