Birth of a Family

Several years ago, we were looking forward to the arrival of our first child and were wondering where and how best for him to be born. I dreamed of a home birth, maybe even in water. My husband convinced me that there was still time and it was worth thinking about different options, without rushing to make a choice. We both wanted to be there for the birth, but the idea of ​​a home birth or water birth seemed too risky. Having delved into all the details, my husband flatly refused to endanger the life of the baby and mine.

We needed to find a maternity hospital where they would treat us with understanding and provide assistance if necessary. However, our wishes (based on knowledge about obstetric care) surprised and irritated the medical staff. But the search was crowned with success, and the child was born the way we wanted. The caring hands of his father took him, immediately put him to his chest, bathed him in warm water and did not drop anything into his eyes.

Before swimming, dad cut the umbilical cord, and half an hour later we were left alone. Soon we moved to a separate room, where a homely atmosphere reigned. Here you could have flowers, a tape recorder, your favorite clothes, food, toys. The child was bathed from the first day, and on the third day we were sent home in full health. Dad was with us all this time. We left with many photographs of the birth, skipping the ceremonial discharge.

Over time, I realized that everything could be even better. But the main thing we took away from that maternity hospital was the confidence that childbirth should be friendly, family-based, not crowded and safe.

Of course, the presence of specialists during childbirth is important. There should be people nearby with a sensitive heart, experience and knowledge. Although natural childbirth does not require intervention, sometimes the lives of mother and child depend on doctors.

Fortunately, we have more and more maternity hospitals that create conditions for natural family childbirth. If you are preparing to become a mother, find out if there is such a maternity hospital nearby.

There is no need to go to the maternity hospital with the first contractions. It’s better to go through the first phase at home: listen to music, take a bath while your husband makes tea and gives a massage. When contractions occur in 5-7 minutes, it’s time to go in order to have time to give birth.

In the emergency room, let dad communicate while mom concentrates on the birth. Usually the husband writes down the information about his wife needed for the card. Although sometimes they require tests from the father, more often they change him into a robe and give him special shoes.

You can give birth in any position. Immediately after birth, the baby is placed on the mother’s stomach, then applied to the breast. Dad cuts the umbilical cord and bathes the baby together with the doctor.

If the father does not want to be present at the birth, he can hold the baby in his arms immediately after. I would like to believe that such family births will soon become the norm.

Childbirth, where the main ones are mom, dad and baby, is normal and natural. Who, if not the parents, should know how this child was born and grew up? Sometimes a glance or a touch from a husband is enough to turn a difficult ordeal into a family sacrament.

A woman is born again as a mother, a keeper of the hearth. This is important first of all for the father, because his family is born. Even without practical help, dad's participation provides a better understanding of what is happening and emotional support.

By becoming an assistant and participant, the father makes it easier for the child to come into this world. Isn’t this the main purpose of a man - to do everything to make the most dear and defenseless feel better next to you? But fears about the ugliness of the spectacle tell a different story. And if this is the only thing that stops dad, it means he has yet to be born with the child.