Baby Kebakat is here

For those looking to pass on advice to their partners, I would say two things. First, it SUCKS seeing your other half in so much distress. You might have an idea in your head of how it's going to be based on what you've seen on TV, but that's always different because it's some female actor you know nothing about pretending to be a person you know even less about. So all I would say is 'be ready for it'. I had been warned about that part so it made things easier. If I wasn't ready, I might not have been so useful. Be ready for it, and develop a strategy for coping. In my case, it was to avoid looking at her face, and to have complete faith in the fact that the midwife knew what she was doing, and that labour is inherently painful so there is actually nothing wrong.

The other thing is (I think) to know your place in the birthing room. I knew that all the medical stuff was going to be handled by the pros, but I also knew there wasn't really going to be a damn thing I could do to ease DW's situation. I made up my time by balancing out the two roles of "midwife's assistant" (helping her move DW around, passing her blankets and towels, helping with the mental boosting for DW etc) and by just being there during the 'breather' times when DW had her eyes open. I imagine with so many strange people in there it might have been a bit bewildering for her, so for her to open her eyes and see a familiar face such as mine probably helped, even if a tiny bit.

I'm off to see her very soon. I'll pass on all your kind regards to her :)

wow thanks 'daddy2b' Richard. My husband didn't get to see the 'labour' as such as we had an elective ceasar (and the other two aren't biologically his) I don't think we are having another one but part of me feels he missed out on a 'great' birthing expereince.(me i could do with out it) so thank you for your insight to a DH/mans point of veiw.

Can't wait to see photos.

Big congrats Stacey and Richard and welcome to the world wee Daniel

Congratulations on your new family. Thanks so much for sharing your story Richard, it was a great insight for me to hear how you guys deal with this journey mentally and emotionally, I have to admit I had tears in my eyes, I hope Stacey is doing well today.

I went up and saw them a few hours ago. Stacey is doing great, feeding is a bit of a problem. Daniel suck a few times and then gives up and doesn't want to do it anymore. So she is expressing and feeding him with a little medicine cup. Pic are in the photo gallery.

Congratulations to you both and well done!
Welcome to your wee boy, what a story! And very cool to hear it from a Dad's point of view.

edited to fix spelling

Edited by Mazzy

Congratulations both of you for bringing a new little person in the world Can't wait to see piccies!

Excuse my ignorance, but where is the photo gallery??

Edited by kabe

Ha, okay, I'm sure I can find something to chat about..!

Janine, Stacey is going to be in for a while. So you probably can sneak up there and give them to her.