Author Topic: Childbirth Questions (Read 1197 times)

d15 · « **on:** June 17, 2013, 03:50:07 PM »

I am a new member, but have read posts on this forum for some time now. I have two questions regarding childbirth, and would like some of your thoughts on them.

First question: Should a husband be in the delivery room with his wife? In the past, childbirth was usually a female-only affair. A midwife and/or nurse would assist the birthing mother along with female family members (mother, sisters, etc.). Today, husbands in the delivery room are ubiquitous. Is this appropriate?

Second question: Should women use drugs, or anything else, to reduce pain during childbirth? I've heard it argued that because the pains of childbirth are a divine punishment for Original Sin, anything used to reduce the pains is necessarily sinful. What do you think?

Please note, I'm not asking about home births vs. hospital births, or about vaccinations. Thank you.

songbird · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2013, 04:04:19 PM »

Home birth: That is mid wife with doctor on the side if need be. Stay out of hospitals. Vaccinations are mandatory with baby before you leave the hospital. Newborn screening (blood taken) for use in the future of diseases that one can have in later life.

A man needs to be with the wife when delivering! what a wonderful experience! Drugs, none if possible. When delivery comes, then more will be known as to what to do. It is best to have mom awake to help in delivery.

Be sure to educate yourself. Get to know a midwife and they can direct you to some good reading. The more you educate yourself, the better. Don't delay. Billings Method teaches what God has designed of the male and female. Very informative. And they too can lead you to good information. www.prolife.com One More Soul.

Enjoy! And be Generous with your children. I gave this advise and a couple had 3 deliveries at home. Every woman is different and so is every child birth. A good midwife is one that is humble and will have a doctor on the side if need be.

Cantarella · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2013, 04:24:13 PM »

No pain-reduction medicines for me. And definitely NO HUSBAND in the delivery room.

Nadir · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2013, 04:37:40 PM »

Quote from: d15

First question: Should a husband be in the delivery room with his wife? Is this appropriate?

Second question: Should women use drugs, or anything else, to reduce pain during childbirth? I've heard it argued that because the pains of childbirth are a divine punishment for Original Sin, anything used to reduce the pains is necessarily sinful. What do you think?

Dear d15,

First, Welcome!

Second, answer to Q1: Yes, if the wife desires that he be there and he is willing to comply with her desires, at such a crucial time for her.

Third, But ALL pain could be said to be a divine punishment for Original Sin. So why single out childbirth? I gave birth three times, always without any pain killers, and it is better if you don't have to use them. Everybody's pain threshold is different. There is nothing sinful about taking pain killers, or doing anything else to relieve pain.

Oh! I nearly forgot to say: My husband was with me, in a hospital setting, for all three.

And it depends where you live, whether or not you must have a baby vaccinated before taking it home from hospital. I didn't think that vaccination was legally enforceable in hospitals in the U.S. or anywhere else in the world, for that matter. Of course it could be a matter of bullying...

Capt McQuigg · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2013, 05:24:13 PM »

Quote from: Cantarella

No pain-reduction medicines for me. And definitely NO HUSBAND in the delivery room.

Your avatar is absolutely lovely!

Matthew · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2013, 05:39:56 PM »

Fathers being aloof during the birth seems to be a Baby Boomer thing to me, along with formula (instead of breastfeeding), baby in a bassinet/crib (instead of co-sleeping), public school (instead of homeschooling) city or suburbs (instead of living in the country)...the list goes on.

Consider me the anti-Boomer :)

Tiffany · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2013, 06:00:45 PM »

I don't like the modern pressure that men need to be in the delivery or birthing room. There is nothing wrong with a husband being in a different room and waiting to enter until the delivery is over and the wife is presentable again.

I wasn't comfortable with my former husband there and honestly I don't think he wanted to be there either. He had a lot of anger later that I was indecent while the NICU team was there.

Tiffany · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2013, 06:49:08 PM »

Quote from: PaxRomanum18

Quote from: Nadir
Third, But ALL pain could be said to be a divine punishment for Original Sin. So why single out childbirth?

God specifically singled out childbirth and ordained that women suffer pains during it as a specific punishment (Genesis 3:16).

One thing about pain is it's often made worse by modern medical practice, like requiring a woman to labor on her back or giving her drugs to make her contractions stronger.

Frances · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2013, 07:09:01 PM »

There is no Church rule on who may or may not be present during childbirth. It depends upon the couple. As for pain relief, again, it depends upon the woman, her health, the best for the baby. Usually, no drugs is best, but this isn't always the case. Some couples like for both parents to be present, but in some cases, it happens that Dad doesn't make it in time, or, in the case of a relative of mine, Dad passed out, hit his head on a nightstand and sustained a concussion. He ended up staying overnight for observation while Mom and baby boy went home! (He has stayed in the waiting area ever since.)
The only childbirth novelty I personally think is in bad taste is to video the blessed event and show it to friends. My parents were once subjected to a video of their friends' daughter-in-law giving birth to their first grandchild. My father practically died of embarrassment, and my mother nearly passed out as she does upon the sight of anyone's blood but her own! I've been a Lamaze coach for a friend whose husband was in Iraq, and I've been present for the births of nephews and nieces, so I'm not squeamish although I am single. Nonetheless, I would not care to see a video of someone I know giving birth! I would definitely NOT want my in-laws seeing me and I'd be horrified if they showed a video to their house guests!
In the animal kingdom, the male is usually not present for the birth of his offspring, but that is often because he is prone to killing and eating them! Just my 2¢ worth.

Raphael · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2013, 07:38:35 PM »

Frances, good post. Thank you.

In retrospect, childbirth was just a dot on the map compared with actually bringing up children!

My first child was born C-section. I remember feeling so cheated, not having him "the way God deigned." Ah, I was so young!

My next 6 deliveries were all natural. No pain meds. Wow. Enough said.

My next 2 deliveries...I took an epidural. What a relief. No anxiety, no nine months filled with dread of D-day. If God wills I have more children, I will not hesitate to have pain relief. No qualms whatsoever! Really, this whole pain medication question is truly up to the individual. I don't think I'll be judged by God on that...whereas how I mothered them...another story! This is what matters.

And my husband was by my side every time, God bless him. Hey! If there's a complication with baby, he's there to Baptize, right?

Nadir · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2013, 08:48:15 PM »

Quote from: PaxRomanum18

Quote from: Nadir
Third, But ALL pain could be said to be a divine punishment for Original Sin. So why single out childbirth?

God specifically singled out childbirth and ordained that women suffer pains during it as a specific punishment (Genesis 3:16).

Yes, I know that quote. But nevertheless all pain is punishment from God. All women suffer pain, whether or not they use pain killers. And God is not merciful?