Hm, the 'how close are you' thread got me thinking!

as you know from my previous thread..we're very open. I want him there and whatever he sees..oh well..part of the life that he'll help create. Anyway I need someone to curse at!

If we have kids, I think I want to do what Liz said...have my DH there for me for all the labor, but when it comes time to push, I want him outside the room.

I have heard a lot of stories about men not looking at their wives the same again after witnessing a birth. One of my DH's friends had this happen to him. And a friend of the family had it happen too. Her husband refused to even touch her anymore. They ended up getting divorced.

I also just dont want him to see me in that state, naked, with my legs all over the place, screaming and sweaty. Just not my idea of a romantic moment--no matter how close it's supposed to bring you!

Then again.....maybe he SHOULD be there so I can get sympathy for weeks afterward!!! LOL!!

i would go crazy if he wasn't there with me! he doesn't have to be 'looking' but as long as he's there holding my hand. hey i'll need someone to yell at while i'm in pain right?

I want FH with me in the delivery room through thick and thin. Clean, messy whatever. That is our moment to experience fully our child coming into the world. I would rather FH and the doc there than nurses and any other medical assistants that are needed.
No way would I have my mom or my sister... I would end up screaming at my mother and fighting my sister!
FH has to be there. I have to curse at someone in the room while I am going through all that pain. It would be all FH's fault anyway that I was put in that position.

Ronnie and I are like to pea's in a pod..

But there is NO way in hell I want him there for the last few mins!!

I don't think he will ever be able to see my private and love it as much if he saw it RIPPED open!

WOW ! I am in complete SHOCK that some of you feel that he shouldnt be there, whether for your embarassment (which you shouldnt be AT ALL ) or for him looking at you differently.

I think it's just one of those things that are SO different when it's 'your time'. MY husband got light-headed at our first sono when I was pregnant with John Anthony. I thought 'Oh no' if this is how he is for the sonogram, how about the birth??? Well, MUCH to my pleasant surprise from the minute my water broke, he was my strength, my backbone, my shoulder to lean on. Everything was SOO different than what we both anticipated (Him freaking out). He went 2 days on almost no sleep and was 'walking on clouds' just from witnessing the birth of his son.

Having been at the birth of my sister's three children (and now my own child ) I can say that EVERYONE is WAY TOO caught up in the moment to A) Care about your legs being wide open and B) Have ANY time to even THINK about fainting or throwing up.

Back to the hubby getting 'front row seat'. THAT SEAT belongs to the Dr. and the nurses. PERIOD. He will NOT be saying 'Gee doc, can I see too?' For the most part, family members stand at your sides. YEs, when the baby is 'crowning' (head starts to show), daddy likes to peek over and see the breathtaking sight. But forthe most part, from the area where the baby comes, out, and beyond there will be nurses, the little rolling table with utensils, or whatever they may need, etc etc. You will need hubby to be LITERALLY right by your SIDE, so you can squeeze his hand/arm as hard as you possibly can!!

I guess having been through it all, I it doesnt phase me in the slightest bit WHO is looking at WHAT part of my body. After SO many Dr's apptmt's, after going through the pains of labor, childbirth, and breastfeeding, and my husband (and my twin sister) being there for any and every moment, I wouldnt have it any other way. Yes, he sees me in a new light now... wit the utmost admiration and respect for Mothers all over the world....

I hope I changed some of your minds on this...

Anna, you made me a bit teary eyed

DH and only DH! (OK - and the Dr. too!)

No tapes, no cameras and no relatives!

How can any of you not want him there for the last few moments, the pushing ?? I think thats kinda downright cruel ! That's his child and he deserves to be there as much as YOU

Again, when its your 'moment' and you are JUST about to experience the miracle of life, of YOUR OWN child, there is NO WAY ON GODS GREEN EARTH, that you are going to say 'OK, now LEAVE THE ROOM!'

Please tell me you guys are kidding ??

I'm not gonna suffer alone!!! He HAS to be there!!!

But I do NOT want him seeing my 'cookie' as it crumbles!!!

He better leave! I still want to be a desirable woman after the whole thing is over and preserve some dignity and mistery! it's going to be hard to do after presenting him with the view of my bloodie, ripped 'cookie' (i liked that one ) with a head sticking out of it!

John & I have discussed this since we are TTC.
I want him up by my head, not watching from below
He said he will be wherever I want him to.

If that's your view on childbirth, then I have nothing else to say

WhatNow LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

anna, your post melted my heart a little, but not enough
I can't imagine him seeing all the goo and mess. And wanting my 'piece' for himself again

For his first child he saw nothing. He freaked out and spent most of the time in the hallway.

I'm a very modest person, but Patrick would be CRUSHED if he were told he couldn't witness the miracle he helped create, and I'd never do that to him.

Other bystanders and cameras of any type will be barred from the room, however.

WhatNow I just added that to the Funniest Quotes Thread on BHB

I wouldnt deny Anthony the chance of seeing his child born but I DO NOT want him 'down there' either. I dont think its necessary for him to see me in that state but he can of course be there to witness the miracle of birth.

Although it is something more than special can describe, so is our intimate life and I think that seeing me in that state would have an effect on us. It has been known to happen. I just think that if he can see our child being born from up top at my head and have the same experience why would I want him looking from down there. But thats just my opinion.

Jennbaby