NaturalChildbirth.org

Psalm127 · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 8 Location: North Louisiana

I'm only 13 wks so I have plenty of time to think about this. I've been considering letting my 7 yr old watch me deliver (Definately not the 2 yr old though.) She wants to be in there. She watches alot of birth stories on TV with me. So she understands where the baby comes out and that it's not all roses. Plus, I'm very open to talking about pregnancy and delivery with her. However, on the down side she is very dramatic and cries easily. She can watch those birth stories with ease but I wonder if it will be different with me because I'm mama. My husband seems opposed to it and so does my friend because of her age. Is 7 too young you think?

CFLhomeschooler · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 579 Location: central Florida

My daughter, who had just turned seven one month prior, watched her little sister's birth. It was absolutely beautiful. I'm tearing up as I recall the moment. I got a little loud at the end, so she would duck out to the waiting room (birth center) while I was yelling, then she would come back in when I quieted. When I felt Tabitha coming out I looked around and didn't see her, so I was yelling ,"some one get Abi" My MIL ran out and got her and held her in her arms as they watched together. When Tabitha's head came out I heard Abigail say, "Nana, why I'm I crying if I'm so happy?" My MIL replied, "Those are what we call 'tears of joy'... You're crying because you're so happy." I was so tired and wasn't ready to keep pushing. Then I heard Abi whisper, "Nana, I'm scared." You see, she knew that if births didn't go right they turn into surgery. So I thought something I never thought I would think... ,"I have to push my daughter out now, because my other daughter is getting scared for my safety." Unexpected, yes, but I needed the motivation to finish it up. After the cord stopped pulsing my grandmother cut it. Then after Tabitha was weighed, Abigail got to be the first to hold her. I think it will be one of my best memories for the rest of my life.

The midwife talked with Abigail a few weeks prior and asked her some really good questions. I just wish I could remember them. (Placenta brain strikes again) We finally decided that since my dad and Fil were in the waiting room she could leave if she got to scared.
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Child of God my king, wife of a wonderful husband, and mother of 4!

Marital conflict is not husband vs. wife, but husband and wife vs. our common enemy.

rbeth78 · Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 140

If I am blessed with more children, I plan to allow my daughter to be in the room by my side during labor/birth. She will be 9 in August.

Psalm127 · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 8 Location: North Louisiana

Thanks for your replies. Right now I'm reading "The Christian Childbirth Handbook" (a great read even if you're not a Christian) and it brought out a point I never thought about. One of the many reasons so many women fear childbirth is because they've never seen it until they give birth themselves. There is that fear of the unknown. Even if you watch a recorded birth it's not the same as watching a loved one give birth. So I've about decided to let her watch as well as my SIL and a friend who have never had children. I want them to see what a beautiful experience it can be and that it can be done without overwhelming fear.

mamaora · Joined: 05 Jun 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Illinois

My oldest (8 yo girl) wanted to be present for my last delivery two years ago and we kinda talked her out of it. Not because of the blood or anything else besides the noise that I make. I was afraid that THAT would scare her. I am thinking that this time we will just make sure that she has an escape...

Alison · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 1072

During my last birth, my daughter was on the floor between my midwives watching the whole thing. It didn't scare her at all and she came away from it thinking it was pretty cool. She was 10 at the time. My teenage son sat in a rocking chair in the corner and stared down the corner. My other sons chose to watch PBS Kids instead of their brother's birth. Smile

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"The truth shall set you free, but first it will make you mad."

"And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom"

rbeth78 · Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 140

I did not expect to be at this point so quickly after I posted my last reply; however, with #3 due in January, we are still planning on our daughter being present for the delivery. She is so excited!

CFLhomeschooler · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 579 Location: central Florida

!!!!!

Congratulations to rbeth!
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Child of God my king, wife of a wonderful husband, and mother of 4!

Marital conflict is not husband vs. wife, but husband and wife vs. our common enemy.

rbeth78 · Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 140

Thanks!