Being there when baby's born

Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

If I wasn't allowed to be present at the birth of my little girl then I would have thrown my toys.

This week's revelations by British childbirth specialist Michel Odent, who reckons childbirth would be less painful and more streamlined if men were not in the delivery suite, are just ridiculous.

I tell ya, I'm no expert, but if I tried telling my wife that it's probably best if I leave her to it when she is about to go through one of the most painful experiences of her life, then not only would I be ejected from the birthing suite, I would more than likely have found the door to our house permanently locked too.

Odent's beliefs harks back to a time when giving birth was about boiling a pot of water, grabbing some towels, and sticking a bit of wood in your mouth to soak up the pain.

And surely the archaic and stuffy days of Dad waiting to be given the news about whether it is a boy or a girl are well and truly over?

My wife wanted me there for support. Whose hand was she going to crush otherwise? And who else was she going to be able to order around?

Hell, I didn't mind. In fact, even though I was on the receiving end of a few stern swear words and demands, it makes you feel overwhelmingly proud of your loved one for getting through it.

She also wanted me there to share the experience, even if - to be honest - it's not that pleasant, and extremely stressful at times. But, and excuse me for being cheesy, the joy and miracle of birth is a wonder to experience.

I bloody well wanted to be there because although she was doing all the hard work, the little bean that was about to pop out was half mine after all.

I'm not saying that's the case for everyone.

For all I know some women don't even want their man by their side. And some blokes will faint just at the thought of being present at the birth - many do pass out during, I'm sure.

But that's nothing to be ashamed of lads, because at least you were there.

- Scott Kara

Photo / Hawke's Bay Today