BIRTH FROM A DAD'S PERSPECTIVE

We often talk, as Mother’s, of our birth experience, and the memories of how we felt, and how that day impacted us. To celebrate Father’s Day, we felt it was appropriate to hear from one of our many Birth Centre Dads, and hear, from his perspective, about the day his son was born.

Thank you Paul for sharing your wonderful story with us.

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I will remember the 29th of September 2010 for a very, very, VERY long time.  Basically from Leanne saying: “um, Paulie . . . I think my waters just broke” onward, will be permanently etched in my mind.

Our path to the big day was wonderful.  I felt confident and secure in the process, preparation and care given by the capable midwives of the RBWH Birth Centre.  Leading up to the big day, I guess I essentially saw it as my role to maintain calm, provide moral support and to ensure that whatever came our way was sorted without drama in the best interests of my young family.

I have to admit, there were some very tense moments when I thought our baby was going to be born at home or in the ambulance on the way to hospital.  But once we arrived at the A&E and were greeted by midwife Tanya, I felt an enormous sense of relief.  From then on, I knew everything would be ok.  Rowan was born just before midnight and I was incredibly thankful to be able to spend the remainder of the night and the next day with my wife and our new son.

It was always important to me to play a meaningful role in the birth of our baby.  The thought of being at the pub with a cigar and a beer while Leanne was left ostensibly alone with potential strangers to endure the most incredible pain or to potentially fight for her life & the life of our baby fills my stomach with a sickening emptiness.   I’m forever grateful that a facility like the RBWH’s Birth Centre enables companionship, professional guidance and moral support for the most significant moment in a parent’s life.

​Our little boy is an absolute treasure. I’m very proud of my wife and the enormous strength & courage she showed on that day.  I have gained a new perspective that has strengthened & fortified our family forever