Dads! Why YOU Are The Perfect Partner During Labour & Birth
a blanket of snow covering the world outside their window, candles lit on the sill. His closeness allowed her to sleep, comforted and protected in a safe harbor. Later, while actively laboring, trying to make myself as small as possible, just the hands on her back, he played the guitar and sang her the most beautiful love song...I wish I could share it with you, but it was obviously written for her and her alone.
A and C
Essence. Recognizing what is of the essence is a superpower, and this gentleman nailed it. When I picture this man in my minds eye, I see the exhausted, emotional, bloodshot, relieved, red eyes of a man who watched and supported his wife through an ordeal that was more challenging than could have been anticipated. A labor at home, transfer to birth center, and an eventual and unwanted transport to a hospital for necessary intervention. It all added up to a trial of constitution, acceptance, and advocacy, which he accepted and in my experience, grew into an even better partner, and certainly into a wonderful father through it. He was protective, asked intelligent questions, challenged the staff, empowered his wife, respected her, and never, not for one moment, lost sight of being a source of constant comfort. His endurance came from the greatest energy in the world, love. His love for his new family was the essence, the larger purpose of all of it; his excitement to meet this little one and to be a family was always at the surface, an unmistakable little twinkle in those red eyes.
asked intelligent questions, challenged the staff, empowered his wife, respected her, and never, not for one moment, lost sight of being a source of constant comfort. His endurance came from the greatest energy in the world, love. His love for his new family was the essence, the larger purpose of all of it; his excitement to meet this little one and to be a family was always at the surface, an unmistakable little twinkle in those red eyes.
K and L
Courageous. This was a very unique story, rare. This little one decided to blaze into the world while on the drive to meet me and the rest of the birth team at the birth center. Understandably, a little frantic, he was still able to give the most extraordinary play by play to the midwife over the phone. "She says the baby is coming...the baby is coming. Oh, there is the head, the head is out. There is a cord...it's not tight, it's loose, but the cord is around the neck...There he is, the baby is out, she has him". All while driving. They were less than 1 mile from the birth center. The midwife talked them through all the way to the parking lot where we met them and provided immediate care. Both medical care from their awesome midwifery team, as well as emotional and mental support, from us all. It's quite an ordeal and there is a lot of processing that happens following a fast birth in general, this one, A LOT of processing. They both had the additional opportunity to continue to demonstrate courage as their baby required some additional observation and treatment at the Children's Hospital. During their stay, about a week, they both showed the true nature of courage. It's quiet, at it's core, a resolution to do what's necessary even if you're scared or worried.