deliver a baby

My best friend just had a baby, and my other best friend was in the delivery room. He said it was a life-changing experience that he would have otherwise not have been able do because he’s gay, so he would be adopting or whatever.
So at least once in my life, I would like to deliver a baby not my own.

My 4th son was delivered at home (in 1996) & the midwife arrived at the same time as the baby!

and I agreed on 11 years ago was that we wanted a natural birth for our son. He was 2 weeks late when we finally went into the hospital and the midwife told her that if she did not give birth soon, they would have to induce labor or a c-section.
After three long days of labor, our son was finally born on Oct 24, 1994 at about 12:07 am. I got to catch him when he came into the world and it was very fitting that as his father, I would welcome him into the world. All dads should do this.

This goal is slightly ambiguous. I’m not sure whether it means “give birth” or “hold the catcher’s mitt”. But I can say I’ve completed this goal because I’ve done both. So whichever way you mean it, it’s worth it. The miracle of birth is so pure and wonderful (not the screaming and name calling that you see on tv). But no, I didn’t actually use a catcher’s mitt when I helped my best friend bring my son’s best friend into the world.

I am an ob/gyn resident and have delivered and assisted on many deliveries, and I love it! It is very fun. Not always easy, and complications can occur, but it is a profound experience if you get a chance to witness or participate.

Im a student midwife who qualifies July 06 and have now delivered 29 babies, every birth is a miracle to be part of and I can’t wait till I graduate and find a job

I delivered my second son! Probably ranks at the top of list of truly great experiences

Our first son, A, was born at a hospital and it was a horror story that fortunately my wife cannot remember a lot of to this day, which is better, since I can. It involved a disinterested staff and a doctor who had better things to do. We were sent home twice for not progressing and when Sherry finally started to progress the tiniest fraction hospital policy decreed that all and food and drink were to be withheld. It had been a long 2 days and we had had enough and so we signed ourselves out. Finally, we returned and Sherry was progressing slowly, but after several hours, the staff decided there was a problem being reported to them by the fetal monitor. We were told that since the baby’s heart rate was not climbing enough during contractions that an internal monitor was necessary. When we protested the doctor said, “You don’t want your baby to die do you?” So the doctor broke Sherry’s amniotic sac, attached the fetal monitor and put Sherry on Pitocin. Within 10 minutes (2 contractions) Sherry had gone from 3 cm to 10 not, I believe, because of the Pitocin but more along the lines of what her family history had going for her (Sherry was born on the way to the hospital.) The staff was shocked but said it was OK to go ahead and push, they were not prepared for the result. Within 5 minutes of starting to push A’s head started to crown. The staff rushed Sherry to the delivery room, demanding she not push (as if.) I tried to take some pictures of A being born, but the nurses starting yelling at me for being at, The “Wrong” end of the table.” The doctor was busy fiddling and did not notice A emerging, and ended up lunging and catching him with one hand. As soon as A was born the doctor panicked and called for the pediatrician “Stat,” because A was not “Responding properly.” The less panic oriented pediatrician gave A the once over and declared, “He’s sleeping.” Obviously, Doctor Dopey had not considered that Sherry was not the only one having endured the 60-hour labor.

Our second son, B, was born at the Familyborn birth center and we were very pleased. I even got to catch the baby. Cool, a must for all real fathers. I was shocked by the lack of poking and prodding this time around. The best part of B Michael’s birth was when Sherry’s water broke. Sherry had not yet broken her amniotic sac by the time she was ready to push so she had to do it while pushing which was very uncomfortable for her and a great relief once it did happen. Sherry was in the middle of a full blown pushing contraction when her water was ready to break, and it was quite a show! The amniotic fluid sprayed 6 feet, past the end of the bed and on to the floor. Actually, it looked like we were at the bottom of a log flume when the spray erupted. 10 minutes later B was born with the most beautiful blond hair.

As we approached the midway point of our third pregnancy, the center told us that they were closing down their on-site birth facilities and that we were out of luck. Therefore, we decided on a home birth. Sherry’s labor actually started almost a full week before G was born. Sherry called me to come home at 8:30 am Saturday, 39.5 weeks into her pregnancy. We were sure this baby was going to be special because she had stayed in so long; both her brothers had been born at 37 weeks and were 6lb 10oz and 7lb 1oz. Sherry had false labor twice before, so we were so worn down that we did not get our hopes up. By Sunday Sherry was still going steady, but not too strong so her midwife came by for a check/cheer up and found her to be 1 cm and 50% effaced. So we unfortunately prepared for the long haul since both of Sherry’s previous labors had lasted 60 hours. Sunday night and Monday passed without much fanfare, although Sherry’s labor began to take its toll on her sleep, so that by Tuesday, during her weekly appointment, Midwife Louise and trainee Martha were concerned, and we created a plan of action. By Wednesday, stress had taken its toll and the midwives rushed up to check on Sherry’s now stronger contractions early in the morning. After setting up and determining that Sherry was now 3cm 60% they stayed expecting a prompt arrival, they were to be disappointed. Sherry continued to putter along the rest of the day, but since she had progressed Louise and Martha thought it best to let nature take its course. The midwives agreed that since Sherry was tiring, an understatement, that unless something happened that, in accordance with our plan of action Friday morning she would take castor oil to stabilize and stimulate her labor. On Friday at 9:30 am Sherry took the castor oil “Milkshake” as prescribed, and boy did it ever work. By 12:30, Sherry was into a strong, stable contraction pattern. Sherry became restless and it was nice to be able to waddle her around our own block. By 4:30pm Sherry’s water finally succumbed and things became intense. With the first push I could tell this baby was bigger than we had imagined just by how high Sherry’s belly rose. Louise and Martha gave a constant stream of direction and suggestion, including having Sherry change positions twice. Shortly before G was born, Louise brought in A who sat by his mom’s head and was the official baby hat holder and coach. As the baby’s head started to crown, I warned Martha and Louise to watch out in case I lost my balance since Sherry had a tendency to “blast” babies out. A had to be caught with one hand by the doctor as he turned to get something and B had gone from crowning directly to being exposed up to his elbows with one mighty push. I knew this had to be a big baby when it ended up taking Sherry two entire pushes to expel the head and another one to get out G’s body, which I happily caught without incident. G arrived at 5:19 pm and weighed in at 9lb 4 oz.