For our last midwife appointment there was a lot of homework. In addition to a keeping a food log for a week (in which I picked the worst week of the month LOL!) there was also a 10-page questionnaire. My husband and I both had to talk to our families about our births for two of the questions.
My dad says mine was standard. Mom went to hospital, had me vaginally, I was just shy of seven pounds and born at 6:18 in the morning. When I asked if she had an epidural he said, “hell no, I didn’t go to those lamaze classes for nothing!” Wow, it was funny to hear he had an opinion on this. I also had to ask how he felt about me having a home birth and he said he was shocked at first, but knows I am not stupid and am taking care of my health to do it as safely as possible, so he is fully supportive. I will do a post at another time to talk about his birth story and why he had an initial negative reaction to me having a home birth… it is pretty cool.
My husband talked to his dad. Totally different scenario. Hubby was born 7.5 months after me in Indiana (I was born in Los Angeles). His dad has few memories of his birth because he was not allowed any where near the delivery. As it was the nurse told his dad to go out to get a meal at a diner because it would be a while. Sounds like Don Draper when Betty gave birth on Mad Men to me. My husband was born weighing in at 8 pounds 4 ounces at 6:35 at night. He thinks his mother was drugged.
When it comes time for our little Zakumi to say hello to the world we hope we have a home birth. However if medical intervention is necessary then it is necessary. We will do what we have to do with my health and baby’s health as a priority. Just know this, the dad will be involved!