When Danibel Hiraldo was preparing for the birth of her first child six years ago, she knew she would be relying on her mother for support during labour rather than her husband of four years.
?From the minute we found out I was pregnant, my husband was adamant about not being in the room,? the 36-year-old recalls. It wasn?t that Hiraldo?s husband was unwilling to support her or wasn?t excited to become a father. But he knew that his tendency to become overwhelmed and panicky in medical situations would make him more of a liability than an asset during the birth.
At first, Hiraldo was apprehensive?after all, it?s virtually unheard of for a modern-day father to skip the birth of his child?but she knew her husband was right. ?I initially wanted him to be there because I knew I would be scared, but ultimately my mom was the better choice,? says Hiraldo. ?She knew what to do, and I didn?t have to worry about anyone else but myself and my labour.? When it came time to have the baby, Hiraldo?s husband drove her to the hospital, waited for her mother to arrive and spent labour pacing the halls. When the baby and placenta had been delivered and Hiraldo?s doctor had medically cleared her, her husband came into the hospital room. ?He came right in and held our son, skin to skin, and profusely thanked my mom for being there,? says Hiraldo. ?It was the best decision for us. No regrets.?
When their second child was born three years later, the couple followed the same strategy. As more ...