On a recent weekly visit to the doctor's, all the usual was happening as planned. Heartbeat doppler: check, cervix measurements taken: check...well this is where this doctor's visit will remain one of the most memorable.
As my nurse practitioner is telling me I am 2.5 cm dilated, she says, "I am touching your baby's head!" My husband's face lit up, like I have never seen...not even when he first saw me walk down the isle...LOL. He responds, like a kid in a pet store, "Really, can I touch it?" My head snaps toward my nurse practitioner and without words I am saying through my look, "You aren't really going to let him are you?" Bless her heart, she says "Well, it's up to your wife but it's not as simple as it seems."
Hating to burst my husband's bubble, the only thing I could think of saying was "Ummm, honey, this is not a petting zoo! You'll be able to hold our little one soon enough!" I could tell he understood but he really thought we was capable of slapping on a glove and make his way to our baby!
It was funny, and yet so touching to see the pure excitement that resides within my husband during this time. It's hard to remember that even though we are the ones carrying the child, there is another who is also developing their own love affair with what is within.
What's husband/partner story do you have? Do share!
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I agree, gotta love the husband! My hubby will be the first in line to give blood but only if he doesn't see the needle. I didn't realize how bad his fear was until the birth of our first son. Being a week late, my doctor decided that I should check into the hospital to be induced. After hours of waiting for me to dilate they woke us up at 4am and informed us that it was time for the epidural. The anesthesiologist tells me that I should sit on the edge of the bed, lean on my hubby's chest and not to move. Just as I feel the needle my hubby see's the needle and faints taking down the nurse behind him.
ReplyDeleteAs he was laying on his back at the foot of the bed I knew what he was thinking...I shouldn't have been so cheap about hiring the doula.
My hubby was able to get up within minutes and did a great job as my delivery coach!
OMG, that is a great story Cindy. Greg is the SAME way as Eric...so thanks for the heads up..I think I'll have Greg sit next to me and curl over a pillow...LOL
ReplyDeleteA friend's mom whose a L&D nurse said more dads faint and often hit their heads and unfortunately have to head downstairs to ER...thank goodness that didn't happen! Hope all is going well with you in these last days until #2.
I had a really nice nurse hold me still while I got my epidural. She was great. A great nurse makes such a difference....this leads me to...Two things I learned while at the hospital that I like to share with my friends about to go through this experience.
ReplyDelete1 - Don't be afraid to ask for another nurse if you are not hitting it off or getting bad vibes from they one they pair you with. This goes for both labor & delivery as well as post-partum. Some have crappy bedside manner - one made me cry when I was struggling with breast feeding...seriously!
2 - Don't be shy about taking as much free stuff as you can manage when leaving the hospital. This is especially true of the swaddling blankets (they are the best as they've been washed a gazillion times and hold a better swaddle) and diapers (you'll be blowing through diapers like it's going out of style). Also I managed to get nasal aspirators, thermometers and those super ugly (yet desperately needed after delivery) disposable undies.
Must be a guy thing - i thought the same thing when our doctor started rubbing all up on Ben's head. He was teasing me saying, "oh he has a full head of hair".
ReplyDeleteAlan, I think you are right. It makes sense (now it does, when it occurred I wanted to slap Greg) for 40 weeks we, mothers get to experience our babies--movement, hiccups, kicks and just the comfort of knowing their tucked inside. Dads/partners don't have that and if they move quick enough they'll get to experience the occassional kick. So it does make sense that a guy would be eager to "touch"...although I agree it is still a "guy" thing :) Thanks Alan for commenting!
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