Labor Room Parties: Who Should Be There? Our Readers Write!
Here at Pregnancy-Info our pregnancy newsletters have been generating a lot of great comments from readers, especially when it comes to who should be present during labor. Do you want your whole family there? Or are you limiting attendance to just your labor coach? Read about other women's ideas when it comes to who should be in the labor room! And feel free to share your own thoughts! Need some more information on labor and birth? Check out Pregnancy-Info's article on labor and delivery.
Tell Us Who's Invited!
Name: Rachell • Due Date: n/a
I think that only the partner should be there. No one helped to make this baby, hopefully, so why does everyone else need to be there? My mother wants to be in the room when my baby is born but we told her that this is more of an intimate occasion. She thinks we are making a huge mistake, but I wouldn't want it any other way.
Name: Theresa • Due Date: n/a
I think a woman should have either the father of the baby or one of her parents in the room. I don't think it's fair for a child/children to see their mother in so much pain.
Name: Tricia • Due Date: n/a
I think that whomever you feel would be an important member of your support system while you are delivering should be there. However it is important to remember that your stress levels can rise while you are in labor and if you have too many people in the delivery room, you may start to feel like a side show attraction. Depending on the age of the children combined with whether or not you are positive that they are going to be able to handle the experience should determine whether they are in the room for the delivery. Many young children have a hard time seeing adults that they love in pain or stressed out, not to mention that the actual birth does involve a bit of blood. If you don't think that the child(ren) would be capable of handling it, then perhaps they should wait outside in the visiting room till after the birth. While it is a great learning experience for them, it may cause more emotional trauma for them if they are not equipped to deal with the experience.
Name: Nkonki • Due Date: n/a
I think both parents of the baby should be there to give each other support and for the newborn to feel their love on his or her arrival.
Name: Tara • Due Date: n/a
I think it depends on your personality. Some people only want their husband in the delivery room. Personally, I think the more the better. With my first child, I had 12 people in the room with me. A few of my close friends and some of my family. I had 12 people that were not allowed to talk or eat in my room. I was really hungry (the nurses would not let me eat anything) and I did not feel like hearing anyone talk. I am glad that I got to share that with my family and friends.
Name: Krystyn • Due Date: n/a
I believe that the choice should be up to the mother. I had my family and friends there, but my friend only had her sister. It just depends on the mother and what she feels comfortable with.
