[Reptyle]

Due to a power outage, only one paramedic responded to the call. The house was very dark so the paramedic asked Kathleen, a 3-yr old gi rl, to hold a flashlight high over her mommy so he could see while he helped deliver the baby.
Very diligently, Kathleen did as she was asked. Heidi pushed and pushed and after a little while, Connor was born.
The paramedic lifted him by his little feet and spanked him on his bottom. Connor began to cry. The paramedic then thanked Kathleen for her help and asked the wide-eyed 3-yr old what she thought about what she had just witnessed.

Kathleen quickly responded, "He shouldn't have crawled in there in the first place......smack his butt again!"

 

[motivated]

I have had many, many children involved with childbirth over the years.
The parents decide how much involvement they want and the children are very good at finding a comfort zone. Some are good with getting mom a cold cloth to wipe the face with, and watching a video at Grandmas house arriving after the birth to greet thier sibling. Some children are very involved by cooking, watching the birth wandering in and out during labor. Taking pictures, rubbing moms back,etc.
No one should be forced, the adults attitude must be calm and relaxed and the child should have an adult who has the sole responsibility of him/her.( Not mom or dad they are busy).
I must mention that during prenatal care we discuss noises a mom might make while pushing, sights they may experience etc. We have videos of other children at births etc. Most often after birth we have "science lesson" explaining how the placenta works and showing the different areas of the placenta. ( I have a lot of homeschoolers) We keep things to age level and simple.
Mom can be modest and I have had women stay covered through the birthing process to those who are totally nude including dad in the birthtub. Again every family is unique.
There are also books about mom having a baby out there that are helpful.
motivated

 

[MicheleMomof4]

LOL
My daughter witnessed her sister being born, but now I'm required to do c-sections so they can not watch. My son who is 15 would LOVE to watch but they won't let him. He is not phased by blood and guts.
God Bless,
Michele

 

[nikko]

my oldest was 6 1/2 when i was due with his little brother. he was excited and wanted to be there. went to the prep classes and everyone(docs and nurses who knew him) thought he would love it. well i go into labor and my mom who is watching him disappears with him. she didnt think it was a good idea for him to watch. man was everyone ----ed at her for a bit. lol

i think it depends on the child

 

[Heidi's_Goats]

It absolutely depends on the child. When I was 11 I witnessed my brothers birth. It was a very exciting experience until I heard my mother's bloody screams. My brother was being born feet first. I had to leave the room...and then even worse, he was totally blue because his head got stuck.

I swore I'd never have children. Matter of fact the next birth I was present at was my first child's. *L* If my brother's was a normal birth it would have been wonderful!

 

[Grandmotherbear]

Not only was my daughter present at my son's birth (she was 5) but my doula's 1 yr old was present - riding in her backpack. Yes, our home birth group had one whole session devoted siblings at the birth, She saw the "birth Movie" and everything before. She was absolutely thrilled!! at his birth.

When time came for her to birth she also chose to deliver at home. With her second baby, she agreed that her husband and 5 year old son should be free to wander in and out of her room according to their comfort level. Her daddy Grandfatherbear was actually the one supporting her and counterpressing on her back when our grandddaughter was born. Her husband and son were in the next room engrossed in a video game. When the midwife wrapped up the baby and took her in to meet her daddy and brother dear grandson took one look and cried out "Who is THAT and WHERE did she come from?"

 

[chamoisee]

My kids were at all the births except for the C-section. I think being there helps them to bond with the new baby and to understand that it came out of mom and is a member of the family, not an interloper.

My births were not easy for the most part, but the children weren't traumatized.

I also think this would be a good experience for teenaged girls so they'll know what they're in for. A lot of them seem only to think about how nice a cute little baby would be.

 

[AR Cattails]

Both of my children were born by c-section and only two years apart so even if the 2 year old did witness the birth, I don't think he would of understood. But if the situation was different and my oldest child had been older, I don't think I would have wanted him there. Knowing him like I do, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have wanted to be there either. That's just my personal feelings.

 

[Ivy DragonWind]

My two yr old was present when my son was born, and she had a front row seat. She had been with me for the whole labor, and even learned to breathe with me. When the time came, she was very concerned about my discomfort, but when her brother slid out she got a look on her face that said, "Oh, THATS what was wrong!!" She was very happy to see him, but got scared to death when she saw the placenta! Well, she has turned out to be a great big sister, and she even kissed him before he was clean.

She was a C-section, BTW, so it was my first birth, my husbands, and my daughters. A learning experience for all of us!

 

[hoggie]

If I had another one, I think I would want DD to be there if at all possible.

Reading some of the stories about kids and birth, I wonder whether watching a birth triggers subconscious memories for younger kids if they had a "normal" birth themselves?

hoggie

 

[RockyGlen]

I have friends who let their kids watch. I am a very private person and the one time we had a midwife she waited in the other room in case we needed her. I am a quiet birther anyway, but I don't think I could relax and focus if the kids were there - I would be worrying about what they were thinking, etc. I like it best when it's just dh and I.

 

[Guest]

I'd leave it up to the parents.

In my family's case my oldest was five when her younger sister was born. Her grandmother had come down to be there for her so that her mama and I could attend to delivering the baby. We took them both to the delivery center so that the oldest could experience the youngest being born.

And there we departed from the script. It was late in the evening by the time the baby came along and the oldest was sound asleep by then and we decided it would not do anyone any good to wake her up so she slept through the whole thing.

Cie la vie.

.....Alan.

 

[LittleRedHen]

My kids did not watch the actual birth of my last baby but they came in within a few minutes. They loved it and it was a very bonding moment for our family.

 

[morrowsmowers]

I our case the boys met their new brothers a little after birth but didn't see it happen. However, we met a family a number of years ago who were expecting their 14th child. Their oldest, a daughter, wanted to be a midwife and was going to deliver the new child. That would be a interesting, I think. I find all of that sort of think fascinating and helped deliver each of my four boys.

Ken in Glassboro, NJ

 

[chma4]

My three year old DD asked about it (incessantly) so I showed her a video of a baby being born, she is not so obsessed about it now. She does however want me to have another one, and despite everything, talks about having her own baby someday. I don't think it is strange for a little girl to want to know. i sure did, but had to wait till 9th grade biology to see it. I think its only a natural curiosity and there is nothing wrong with it.

 

[big rockpile]

Ah why not :shrug:

I sat down was eating Breakfast one morning.Turned on the TV,thought what is that?Kept watching,ok I know what this is and I don't need to be watching it while eating.

big rockpile

 

[michiganfarmer]

everyone should witness childbirth. Knowlege is important

 

[longshadowfarms]

Due to a power outage, only one paramedic responded to the call. The house was very dark so the paramedic asked Kathleen, a 3-yr old gi rl, to hold a flashlight high over her mommy so he could see while he helped deliver the baby.
Very diligently, Kathleen did as she was asked. Heidi pushed and pushed and after a little while, Connor was born.
The paramedic lifted him by his little feet and spanked him on his bottom. Connor began to cry. The paramedic then thanked Kathleen for her help and asked the wide-eyed 3-yr old what she thought about what she had just witnessed.

Kathleen quickly responded, "He shouldn't have crawled in there in the first place......smack his butt again!"

Am I the only one who thinks this is a joke? A rather cute one at that! Mine all came on the plane from Russia at the same time. It was a rather trying trip and after many months of sleepless nights a dear friend agreed that I had not missed any of the difficulties of birthing and the first sleepless months

 

[blue8ewe]

It should be up to the child.
Its natural, not a perverse sex oddity.
It would do many children good.
But it can be scary. So if a child does witness it OK.
If they have a choice in advance and choose not to than that choice should be respected.

 

[morrowsmowers]

Am I the only one who thinks this is a joke? A rather cute one at that! Mine all came on the plane from Russia at the same time. It was a rather trying trip and after many months of sleepless nights a dear friend agreed that I had not missed any of the difficulties of birthing and the first sleepless months

I've heard of the "mile high club" making babies, but this is the mile high club delivering babies, and you had a painless delivery, at that.

Ken in Glassboro, NJ