Men’s Guide to Labour

5. Don’t Make Inappropriate Jokes

Again, save them for your comedy routine. Comments like, “I can see it coming! Just kidding (haha)” just aren’t appropriate for the delivery room.

4. Don’t Argue with the Staff

You may have read every book on the subject prior to the big day, but remember that the nurses and midwives in attendance have lived through everything in those books multiple times over. If anybody knows the right methods or techniques, it’s them, so don’t argue or act like you know more than they do.

3. Be Supportive

Childbirth is long, painful, and arduous. Try to be understanding with your partner while she’s in labour, even if she doesn’t seem to be cooperating with the midwives. She’s just exhausted.

2. Don’t Film it and Give a Blow by Blow Account

Unless you’re Steven Spielberg (and even then), leave the video camera off if you haven’t discussed it before. Leaning in with the camera will hinder the ability of the midwives to deliver the baby, and your wife probably doesn’t want every gushing fluid preserved forever on film.

1. Make Sure You’re THERE

Again, your business is not more important. Your golf game is not more important. Your favourite TV show is not more important. When you get the call, drop everything and show up at the hospital to support your partner as she goes through this.

How did your husbands behave when you gave birth?