Just a fun thread inspired by another. How did your partner react to the birth of your child/ren? Did they cry, laugh, faint? I seriously love seeing the reactions from the partners on birthing shows etc, that raw emotion always makes me cry.
DH delivered DD. I was on my hands and knees on the bathroom floor on a mat. He dropped her Aside from the massive feeling of relief when DD slipped out, I'll never forget hearing DH exclaim "Wow!". DD and I cuddled for a bit, then DH took her (after she had a once over etc) while I hopped in bed. Our doula snapped a pic of DH just after he handed DD back to me, probably two minutes after she was born:
He was traumatised for life by birth number 1. For birth number 2 he stayed away from the business end and then he got to dress up in surgical scrubs and hold DS2 straight after he was born so he found it much more enjoyable.
He was just beaming from ear to ear. He was such an awesome support during her birth and kept saying wow as I was pushing her out, and we have pictures of him leaning into us as I sat in the bath holding her just after she was born, he looks mesmerised by her. Our doula took an awesome pic of their first cuddle while I had a quick shower before getting out of the bath and his eyes are just electric and the smile is huge!
He really didn't like birth no1 but was absolutely awestruck once DS1 actually arrived and the drama was over. I haven't asked about this time yet but I would say pretty similar bar the drama and stress.
Nothing like a cuddle from DD after a hard day's work!
Oct 2007
in my own world
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Dh was tramatised with both births and said he does not want to do it ever again. Hopefully baby number three will be more of a happy experience for him.
Your dh looks so proud you'd think he had given birth!! Love it!
After a very long labour when DD finally was born DP cried and straight away gave me a kiss and cuddle and told me how proud he was of me.
DS's he was in quite a bit of shock i don't think he had time to react, neither did i to be really honest but we both awed over DS both saying at the same time "oh my god hes big and look at his hands!!" And like with DD gave me a kiss and said he was very proud.
He watched both kids be born, he found it amazing. I will have to come back after ive asked DP what his initial reactions with both of them.
He missed DD1's and was devastated
DD2's he read the paper until my waters broke then was patting my head & getting me water (for the whole 7min) until she arrived, didn't leave my side.
The photos show it all, he was glowing & smiling, he didn't go down the business end but he was there
The first time DH was simply shell-shocked and pushed to the side unfortunately this made him feel very inadequate in handling her as they (the staff) fussed so much about him and how he was holding her etc etc. real PITA all of 'em!
With DD2 he was beaming proud But really quiet. I think, in our case the whole PTSD for me, played a big part and he held onto some concerns and no doubt was remembering some of the not-so-nice stuff of the first time. but yeah, he was much more involved, confident and part of the whole thing and this meant that he could smile and be part of it all.
This time around he is so so so keen and excited and doesnt want to miss a single moment...this is a big step for us, as previously with DD2 there was still a bit of fear about what the birth could mean. So i am heaps more excited this time as i know that we are in for a totally joyous experience for all involved
DH watched DS being born. I remember the dazed awe on his face just after DS came out. He was left traumatised by the placenta though (apparently it shot out so fast it bounced lmao!).
He wasn't there for the second birth.
For the third he was in the room and watched her being born. He didn't say much about it. I think it weirds him out actually.
I'm not sure how he felt exactly, but from my perspective in both he gave me the (nastier word for) poops! He tried, he really did, but when I was in labour with Ianto he just couldn't get anything right. I tried to roll onto my side to relieve the pain, and he pushed me back because he thought I was falling off the bed And after I handed him the tube the gas was coming through, then tried to reach for it again, he jerked it away from me and gave me a hug instead, thinking I wanted him. He must've been devestated when I snapped that I wanted "THAT! Not you!"
And then there's the falling asleep while I dealt with contractions that earned him a pillow to the face when I was having Amelia. Heehehe...
PZ, you took these two photos just after Amelia was born. I love it, it just captures every emotion we were all feeling at that point
Hubby isn't the greatest birthing partner to have but he's had very different births to attend. Almost missed 1.
a weak stomach and strong gag reflex isn't the best thing to have while watching a birth
As a couple of others have mentioned, my DH was quite traumatized and doesn't have good memories of DD's birth. He still can't look at photos of me in the suite.
Was awestruck by DD once she was on my chest though. Was lovely watching him hover over her as she was being weighed and measured.
Still freaked out over me pooing on the floor Other than that, though, he cried at the actual birth and has since commented on how I was in the zone, I think he was a Bit in awe of that.
DH is great with gross things like poop. The midwives just took the poop away as it came out, but recently I had gastro and (way TMI) started pooping in the shower, I couldn't control it. DH just came in, grabbed the removable shower head and hosed me down until I was done while I cried Ew!
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How did your partner react to birth?
Aside from the massive feeling of relief when DD slipped out, I'll never forget hearing DH exclaim "Wow!". DD and I cuddled for a bit, then DH took her (after she had a once over etc) while I hopped in bed. Our doula snapped a pic of DH just after he handed DD back to me, probably two minutes after she was born:
this made him feel very inadequate in handling her as they (the staff) fussed so much about him and how he was holding her etc etc. real PITA all of 'em!
Other than that, though, he cried at the actual birth and has since commented on how I was in the zone, I think he was a Bit in awe of that.
Ew!
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