Posts Tagged ‘maternity houses’
Childbirth: Should Husband Be Present?
Is it better to give birth in the presence of my husband? Before giving birth to their children many future mothers ask this question.
On the one hand, of course, it’s good, when the closest person will support you in this crucial moment. And on the other –it’s bad, because man, seeing the whole process of childbirth, with all its details, sometimes loses sexual interest in his wife. What to do? Moreover, the viewpoints of doctors and friends on this subject are different.
Neighbors’ experience
In the West, the presence of a husband during childbirth is very common. Men play more active role in the upbringing of children there. Obviously, feminism, which struggles against gender equality in all matters, played its role here.
In the translated books on pregnancy and childcare, the illustrations of men are almost as much as of women. Here they go along with their wives on training courses where they learn appropriate behavior during childbirth, giving birth and then taking the maximum participation in everything that concerns the lives of the their wife and child.
However, practical foreigners include this situation in their marriage contract. Yes and medical care is something expensive there. So it should not be a miss if the father controls the situation: if obstetric services are shown to his wife on the entire sum. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the joint childbirth abroad having a very long history became a norm.
The choice
In Russia, the birth of the child is always considered to be purely feminine. Fathers toil and worry for their wives behind closed doors. In Soviet times, fathers were also not allowed to enter the maternity houses. And the first time they could look at son or daughter, only after discharge, receiving a squeak bag with ribbons. And only recently in our maternity hospitals the joint childbirth has started to develop. Should fathers take this opportunity?
If so, you should be prepared for the fact that relatives and friends would react to your decision ambiguously. Mothers and grandmothers, who passed Soviet maternity houses and are accustomed to endure the difficulties alone, may perceive this as a whim of a pregnant woman. Grandfather and uncles, trying not to interfere in the “women’s” affairs, will not also be happy.
Every couple should consider this question for several times. To agree to such a serious step, following the new fashion or advice of friends which can fundamentally change the entire life, isn’t worth it.
Only a qualified doctor can help future parents in making the correct decision. By the way, it is preferable, to consult a psychologist even before planning pregnancy. After all, family life undergoes significant changes, family roles are
redistributed, as well as the question of responsibility for the new family member. In short, there is something to work.
Specialists’ advice
Much depends on the relationship in the family. One case is when the couple acts as partners who are accustomed to do everything together. After such an event couples become closer. Another case is when family relations are based on the type of mother-child relationship. Wife is concerned about the morals. To overcome this stereotype is hardly possible. If a woman insists on “man-child” contact in the delivery room, that will be enough. The vast majority of fathers, who participated in the joint delivery, will be proud of themselves. Incidentally, in psychology there is such a thing as imprinting – that is the first impression, obtained immediately after birth. So it’s great, if the first parent to see the baby is a father.
