... I meant to add though if Brian wants to be there and will be a genuine support then fine... bit of tricky subject but maybe father's need to feel ok about not attending Really. from a guy's perspective they are in a no-win situation. These days it's the expectation that they MUST attend... even if their nerves will just be a distraction to the woman in labour. I actually requested that the middy wait a while before she let DH in because she was about to insert a drip needle. I know that my DH often faints when there are needles involved and I just couldn't face being thrust into the role of carer to my DH while I was in labour. If my DH was a footballer I would feel perfectly ok about him playing while I was in labour... I would never say it to my mothers group though... can you imagine the scowls! Yes I felt proud that my DH was able to cut the cord with my last two births but if I am honest he was... for most of the labours... more of a distraction that support. I love him... but that is the reality. The midwife who had been through labour herself and I could see the deep compassion in her eyes was, at the time, the biggest thing I needed. There was a time in transistion though that DH was helpful but he also feel asleep on the couch when I was asking for water... hmmm. I don't subscribe to making them watch so they feel guilty or sorry or grateful or anything like that. Well, maybe a small part of me does... but I don't agree with it LOL anyhow... I've lost my point too...