Just a few years ago there was a big thing about fathers being present at the birth of their children, and not just present but involved. For readers of the Guardian and Independent it was de rigeur to be at the beside administering gas and air while reminding wifey to push and pant while burbling happily to anyone who would listen about what an absolutely life enhancing experience it all was. (Fortunately our baby making days were long gone or I might have had to change my paper to the Currant Bun which adheres to the tradition that while Mum id giving birth Dad’s proper place is down the pub with mates and male relatives, wetting the baby’s head.
Fashions change and now leaders of health service midwife services say that Dads just get in the way and should be kep out of the maternity suite. Quite right too.
Once upon a time the father’s presence in the birthing room was taboo. Childbirth was women’s business and the only time the father needed to be present was if the baby was born in the back seat of the car on the way to hospital.
Childbirth is physically exhausting and not pretty to watch so its understandable that a woman would not be at the top of her game and the second last thing she wants is the worry of what will happen if hubby passes out at the sight of blood. The last thing she wants of course is to have the silly prat prancing around trying to stick a camcorder up her chuff to record the event for posterity.
Other than that there is the possibility that the sight of her distended vagina might put him of women so much he joins the homosexuals.
The real reason men should only be present at birth is very special circumstances is of course once the guys are let in they make the whole business about them.
I was at the birth of our second, a shortage of staff on night shift meant I was drafted in as a temporary nurse. On balance I have to say the birth of our first, when I was down the pub, was a better experience from my p.o.v.

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