Yes, the concept is quite foreign to me, since I'm Catholic, and not a Puritan.

I'm also a man, and I'd appreciate it, madam, if you'd stop trying to tell us men how to run our families.

That was me

My husband was at all my births other than one where they kicked him out due to an emergency situation. In hindsight, I would have preferred a midwife or doula throughout labour with my husband joining us immediately at the birth.  Even though my husband and I did a childbirth preparation course, this could not replace a skilled coach. 

It was hard for my husband to see me in discomfort and unable to do anything about it.  He did not complain but I was aware of his distress and found it distracting. I would have preferred to focus on the birth process without worrying about him. 

There is a lot of social pressure these days on husbands to attend birth. One encounters an attitude not being there means he is neglectful or unloving. I disagree with this pressure. Traditionally men did not attend and they don't really do anything that would not be done better by a trained female attendant.  It is better to have a husband there than for a woman to be alone or with strangers, but I do not think it is the ideal. 

St. Joseph was there with Mary.  I'll take that as a sign of God's approval.

Since Mary visited Elizabeth 6 months before to support her, it would certainly have been possible for God to arrange a doula or midwife, (Elizabeth returning the favour why not?  Since God did not and left St. Joseph to clean up, then I will assume he is OK with husbands being present.

St. Elizabeth was looking after her own 6 month old baby in another town.  Our Lady and St Joseph were alone away from home.

 I am not sure how much their example applies to us, since this was traditionally  believed not to be a normal birth. I don't think it is a matter of doctrine but Catholics thought Our Lady did not go through an ordeal of labour.

Victorian times and before kept men out because it was tondistressing for them to witness 🙄🙄 or believed to be. It wasn’t for the woman’s comfort, or modesty. It was believed to much on men. I’d say that’s pretty early feminist thinking that a man can’t handle watching his own child be borne. 

They also did it so the husband never saw his wife “untidy”. She was given time after birth to put on make up, comb her hair, and hide the blood. Husbands have just as much right to be in the room, as the woman giving birth. 

Catholic husbands also used to wait OUTSIDE the room in the patriarchal society. If the concept is quite foreign to you is just because of Feminism. Nothing else.

But why?  I'd like to get at the underlying principles.  I'm always looking for principles.  I'm not satisfied with the feminine "mystique" notion without further explanation.  Is it because the husband should not see a woman getting upset, angry, screaming, potentially throwing things?  I've heard stories where the wives would cuss out their husbands for being the cause of their pain.  Are you saying that men should perceive childbirth as something magical?  I doubt any men are not aware of the mechanics of how birth happens.  I'm not trying to fight, just wanting to understand WHY men used to wait outside.  Is it because some men only make things worse because they are nervous and agitated?  Not sure.

They also did it so the husband never saw his wife “untidy”. She was given time after birth to put on make up, comb her hair, and hide the blood.

  (for the bolded section)

My husband was at all my births other than one where they kicked him out due to an emergency situation. In hindsight, I would have preferred a midwife or doula throughout labour with my husband joining us immediately at the birth.  Even though my husband and I did a childbirth preparation course, this could not replace a skilled coach.

It was hard for my husband to see me in discomfort and unable to do anything about it.  He did not complain but I was aware of his distress and found it distracting. I would have preferred to focus on the birth process without worrying about him.

There is a lot of social pressure these days on husbands to attend birth. One encounters an attitude not being there means he is neglectful or unloving. I disagree with this pressure. Traditionally men did not attend and they don't really do anything that would not be done better by a trained female attendant.  It is better to have a husband there than for a woman to be alone or with strangers, but I do not think it is the ideal.

Hi, Jayne! I was just thinking last night as I was reading this thread that I hoped you would chime in with your perspective.
I agree with most of your post. Many men just do not handle the process well. Many men get so anxious about the situation that it only compounds the woman's distress. 
The part that I disagree is the idea that the husband cannot do anything that a woman attendant cannot do. In regards to technical aspects this is almost always true, but during labor some women are in need of the loving companionship of their husband and will greatly benefit from it. While it wasn't ideal for you, it doesn't mean it is not ideal for others. 
I cannot think of any moral grounds that a husband must be excluded during the birthing processs (but am open to considering any arguments if someone comes forth with some). If there is no moral reason, the decision should be left up to the discretion of the couple. I agree that there is too much pressure on men about it.
I will say that my husband's stress in the situation does not do me any favors in the stress department, but the medical care for laboring mother's is pretty horrendous and oftentimes unethical and inhuman in this country and my husband insists on being there to ensure that my wishes are respected and that nothing terrible is done to me. I am thankful for this, especially during my first delivery in which much peril was avoided because of my husband's vigilent eye and fearlessness in regards to cranky/careless nurses and obstinate doctors with outdated practices and ethics. 

Victorian times and before kept men out because it was tondistressing for them to witness 🙄🙄 or believed to be. 

Why the eye rolls?  This is a legitimate  concern.  I have been present while other women were in labour and found it far more difficult than giving birth myself.