COURTESY OF DREW LE
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never dealt with a partner outright refusing to be present during the birth, she said, but she has
encountered partners whose apprehension is palpable.
“Sometimes they have that
glassy look in their eye, especially
if it’s someone who gets a little
nervous if they see blood,” she
said. “I say, ‘If you’re feeling a little nervous, sit down, stay toward
the head of the bed, because the
overall experience will be there
even if you don’t watch.’”
Sometimes watching a partner
give birth is too much for even
the most enthusiastic dad-to-be.
When his son, who is now 2 years
old, was born, Drew Le, a 34-yearold music professor, was doing
fine until the anesthesiologist
appeared to administer the epidural. The physician took out the
needle and tried to insert it into
his wife’s back several times. “By
the third poke, I was getting lightheaded,” Le said. “The anesthesiologist turned to me and said, ‘Lie
down on the floor and close your
eyes.’ So there I am, lying on the
cold hospital room floor.” His laboring wife just laughed, he said.
After he recovered from his
wooziness, Le worried that he
wouldn’t be able to handle the
LIFESTYLE
HUFFINGTON
10.20.13
My adrenaline and
excitement and love for my
wife and that new, living
creature overpowered any
squeamishness I might
have had.”
birth itself, but the process ended
up being “so fascinatingly beautiful,” he said. “My adrenaline
and excitement and love for my
wife and that new, living creature
overpowered any squeamishness I
might have had.”
Several months ago, when
his second baby was born, Le
took some precautions. When
the anesthesiologist came in,
he left the room, returning only
after the epidural was
administered.
Drew Le knew
to leave the
room during
the birth of his
second child.