By Daily Press staff
The days when nervous dads paced the waiting room with cigars in hand are long gone.
The overwhelming majority of pregnant women plan to have their husband or partner in the delivery room with them throughout labor and birth. In fact, it is becoming more common for sisters, mothers and best friends to join the party and provide support during labor.
Hospitals around the world actively encourage husbands, partners and loved ones to participate in the birthing process. Many hospitals are working to make delivery rooms more comfortable and accommodating. For example, the birthing suites in the new women’s health center at Saint John’s Health Center can accommodate one or more enthusiastic birthing coach. The suites also feature 42-inch plasma screen TV monitors and surround sound stereo equipment.
After the birth, dads and birthing coaches often want to stay close to the new baby and mother. Hospitals encourage this new trend and often provide an in-room bed or couch for overnight visitors.
At Saint John’s, for example, an extra-long convertible window seat is built into every patient room. During the day, the window seat offers a resting place that complements the 10 standard patient rooms and the 12 birthing suites in the women’s health center. At night, the couch converts to a full-length bed.
When a baby is delivered prematurely or is critically ill, new moms need extra support from their loved ones. At times like that, it is important to be close at hand to spend time with and care for the baby.
“After Matthew was born, all I wanted to do was hold him and take care of him,” said Alison Alexander, whose son was born eight weeks prematurely. “It would have been so easy for me to completely ignore my husband, John, and ignore the fact that he also wanted to help Matthew however he could. Fortunately, we were together through everything. John was a tremendous source of support for me and I know I was able to help him. Matthew is doing just fine now, and I think we are a stronger family for all that we went through.”
The women’s health center features a family stay apartment, which is set up to give parents 24-hour access to the nurseries. The apartment allows parents to cook their own meals and, most importantly, gives them a place where they can be together and spend time with their baby in a home-like environment.
In hospitals everywhere, dads and partners are taking their places in the delivery room.
“Being there for the birth is the most amazing thing in the world,” said John Alexander. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 21, 2004. Read the original PDF.