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In response to
"speaking of familial expectations (more p-word, sorry), we are seriously considering not notifying a soul when i go into labor"
by
kare
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I am very firmly on the side that labor and delivery should not be a spectator sport, just you and your S.O.
Posted by
Trish (aka trisha)
Oct 17 '11, 14:07
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And don't be surprised if you don't throw him out at some point, at least for a few minutes.
I gave birth in the hospital I worked at, plus my Father-in-law (at the time) was the chief of staff. I didn't want anyone but my husband in with me, but it turned into Grand Central Station. I didn't have the guts (at the time, now I wouldn't hesitate) to kick people out so I begged my doctor to throw them all out and write an order that nobody was allowed in until *I* said so after the birth.
It ended up being a bad delivery so he ended up writing a "no visitors for 24 hours" order to let me recover a bit.
While labor and delivery is a beautiful natural thing, it's also messy and gross and somewhat embarrassing (according to your comfort level). It's hard enough to concentrate and get through the pain without feeling like you have to entertain a room full of guests who all their own opinions about what you should be doing.
Of course, it's up to you, but I'd think long and hard about guests before, during, and immediately after the birth. You might feel differently about it all and that's totally cool, but this is just my 10 cents.
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