This was written by me in Jan/Feb of 2002, but I just re-discovered it on my computer at work *almost complete*, so I am posting it as found. Here goes:

I thought I might give a different perspective of the traditional Birth Story - this time, from the male point of view. I'll try and outline my feelings and thoughts during the time leading up to labor, and the labor process itself (as I experienced it).
After hearing various horror stories from different sources about complications occurring during pregnancy and labor, I was filled with a fair amount of trepidation about the actual birth, and the (in)effectiveness of anything I could personally do to help my wife through the process.
But, I figured most of what I was there for was Support, Support, Support, as well as a healthy dose of excited anticipation
Really, during most of the pregnancy and labor (and even still), I was constantly asking myself 'Is this really happening?' in a state of wonder. Every time it hit me that we were about to bring a new life into the world, and that we would be responsible for the growth, development and education of this new being, I felt a little overwhelmed, but at the same time quite honoured, proud and excited.
Well, on with the story...
We had past the original due date for our baby to be born by a couple of days, when Cailin started having some irritating itching all over her body during the night. We figured that this was probably a sign that things were finally going to start moving in the next couple of days, but Cailin had heard that intense itching around the time of expected due date could be the sign of problems, so to be safe we trundled off to the hospital in the early hours of the morning just to check it out.
Waiting in the admissions section, the nurse hooked up Cailin to the standard foetal monitor to see how things were going. After checking the output, she remarked that the contractions seemed to be quite intense, and Cailin (who has an amazing pain threshold) tentatively agreed. So, a doctor was called down to verify this result, and once he checked everything out, they got me to sign all the paperwork to admit her as a patient.
All-in-all, we were a bit amazed - thinking that we had just come in for a routine check to make sure the itching was not causing problems, and ending up being admitted for the real labor!
So, we moved up to the birthing ward, and realised that we hadn't brought the pre-packed labor bag (silly, silly, silly), so I took a quick trip back home to acquire the necessary bits and pieces and informed my mum and a couple of other people that Cailin was now in labor.
As the day wore on the contractions continued, but they stayed around the same intensity although they were not coming regularly, so the staff recommended some mild pain killers and sleep. Most of the day was filled with baths, showers and breathing (finally I could do something constructive - run a nice warm bath!). Well, the sleep thing just wasn't happening while the pain was breaking through, so during the night Cailin tried out the Pethadine , which worked wonders and allowed her to get a couple of hours sleep. After waking up, a trip to the toilet resulted in Cailin's waters breaking, although with the presence of Mec, we both started to feel that this wasnt going to be a straight-foward birth anymore. The doctor tried to reassure us that the Mec would be cleared as soon as the baby was born, but I was still worried that the labour had gone on so long and may still go on for a while - and if that were the case, then there would be an increased chance of the baby inhaling or gulping the Mec.
Meanwhile the doctor decided to give Cailin an injection of oxytocin to increase the contractions since things hadn't really ramped up from when she was first admitted into hospital. Along with this, and since Cailin was now getting exhausted from the lack of real sleep combined with almost 24 hours of 'labour' contractions, an epidural was put in so that it was easier to manage.
At this point, they started talking of a possible caesarian since contractions were slow and of course, there was Mec in the waters. Both Cailin and I agreed that we would follow whatever course as long as the baby was safe. I could tell that Cailin was getting a little stressed, with the combination of things happening (or not happening) so I put on a brave face and tried to be as reassuring as I could.
While they waiting to see if the oxytocin would produce some positive results, I popped downstiars to grab a quick bite for breakfast. When I got back upstairs, everything was moving at lightspeed as they had decided that the c-sect was the best choice, since the baby was getting distressed with the increased contractions.
They shuffled Cailin onto a trolley and we were whisked away to another floor where the operating theatre was. While they prepared Cailin for theatre, I had to get changed into medical garb, and then had to wait until they had made the initial incision before I was allowed into the theatre. I can tell you that it was the most agitating time I have ever had to wait - being separated at such a crucial point, I was almost ready to burst through the doors unannounced.
When I finally got in, they gave me a seat next to Cailin's head. She seemed very groggy, and the doctors were all busy cutting, swabbing and holding. Pretty soon (and before I knew it), they were holding up a pink bundle of flesh that was doing her best to tell the world that she didn't want to come out and play just yet. Having wiped her off a bit and cutting the cord, our new baby daughter was handed over the screen to us, as we looked in awe at this new package of joy.
Then I was told that Paris was to be taken down to the nursery to be weighed and measured while Cailin had to be stitched back up then taken into the recovery suite for a little while to make sure there were no complications. Having agreed beforehand that I was not to leave Paris under any circumstances, I went down to oversee the measurements, then waited for mummy to get back. I held my daughter and talked to her while waiting, telling her how wonderful she was, and what a great effort mummy had put in to give birth to such a gorgeous baby, and how mummy could hardly wait to meet her properly.
After about half-an-hour, Cailin finally got wheeled back down to a normal room next to the nursery, and we were able to share in the wonder of our newborn together.
Since then we have experienced the joys and worries, thrills and concerns of our beautiful baby girl, and our love for her grows each day.


Marc.