Labor Facts – Dad’s View

Labor facts are always a fun thing to share. I have an idea though that men and women have a very different perspective of the pertinent details about labor and what truly happened during the delivery. I thought I might give my ideas on labor from a dad’s point of view.

1. It was the day before our due date and Melissa was beyond anxious.  The doctor had told her he would not let her go far beyond her due date since she had gestational diabetes.

2.  We had Mexican food for dinner the night before and went to bed.  I worried I would have heart burn.

3. I woke up the next morning around 5:30 and discover Melissa was already awake.  It was to early in the morning for me to understand that labor had begun (we hoped)

4.  I found out that Melissa had been having contractions for hours but she didn’t want to wake me up.  It was only later I understood she wanted to spend as little time in the hospital as possible.  I honestly thought she was crazy at this point (wasn’t the hospital where they delivered babies?)

5.  Everything was pretty much packed and we got in the car.  Once outside I realized it was snowing and hoped we wouldn’t get stuck.

6.  We stopped at McDonald’s for a quick breakfast. She was seriously worried about not eating anymore once we got to the hospital and I was still seriously worried about getting stuck in the snow and having to deliver our son in the car.

7.  We arrived at the hospital and I wondered what the Hades was wrong with the people at the front desk making us wait even for 5 minutes.

8.  We got into a room so they could “check” to see if she was in labor.  I thought to myself, “Don’t they do this for a living and could tell she was in labor!  I could!”

9. Melissa was only at 3 centimeter when they checked for dilation and they “dared” to discuss about sending us home.  (I wouldn’t tell you what I was thinking at this point but delivering our son in the car did come to mind)

10.  A nurse decided to have Melissa to walk up and down the hall.  We walked up one hall and down the other.  Immense pain hits Melissa and I almost hit the floor. (I did keep my composure though and we did make it back to room)

11.  We checked for dilation again and it had changed 1 centimeter.  I hoped Xander wasn’t feeling as much stress as I was.

12.  We walked up and down the hall again.  Melissa held my hand as walked and had more intense labor pains.  I could no longer feel the tips of my fingers.

13.  They finally decided to check us in the hospital.  Which was good I was afraid I might need the cardiac unit with much more stress.

14.  We had seen our doctor earlier in the day but found out he was gone for the rest of the day (golf day in the snow I am sure).  We then got to meet the doctor from hell.  I thought about all the reasons I didn’t like doctors for the first time.

15.  Doctor from hell offered to break water.  Melissa declined and doctor stated, “I can’t come all the way back so you need to do this now.”  I thought to myself aren’t you getting paid for being here?

16.  Melissa finally opted for epidural as the pain became more intense.  I seriously thought Xander must already be about the size of a small 4-year-old for her to accept any form of pain medication.

17.  Nurse came in and Melissa decided to let her break the water.  Pain had subsided and I wondered if I could get a epidural to go for myself.

18.  Around 8 o’clock full labor had ensued.begun  Still hadn’t seen doctor again.  I was thinking the Hippocratic oath was a myth.

19.  Doctor finally showed up around 8:10 or so.  I was not a happy daddy considering the room had now taken on the look of an ER.

20.  Doctor said push and I didn’t realize that meant me (I was moved out-of-the-way!)

21.  Xander made his first impression and I could see his head.  Doctor got impatient and helped along the process by snipping “down there.”  I felt good and did not pass out.

22.  Xander came out and made my year by peeing on the doctor!

23.  Finally, I felt needed again and got to cut the umbilical cord.

23.  Doctor spent longer sewing on Melissa than actually doing the delivery.

I look back now and realize I was wreck.  I am so glad that Xander was a very intuitive child and was born on his due date and he peed on the doctor for me!

 

Labor facts are a good thing for parents to share! They can give new parents insight into what to expect and become very helpful and humorous. What was the most humorous thing that you remember at the birth of your child? What would you tell any new parent to expect? Did you have anything that you wouldn’t want to repeat? Tell me in the comments!

 

Tags: diabetes 2, different perspective, front desk, gestational diabetes, hades, men and women, mexican food, next morning, point of view