There have been plenty of people giving the phycological and personal benefits of fathers being at the birth of their children so I won’t get into that. I will however share a more amusing story.

I was at the hospital at both my children’s 0 birthdays, although my wife and I never discussed it being an option, so I just did what was expected.

The first time I was not really prepared, well, I knew what to expect ( sort of) but what I mean is I didn’t prepare for the long wait.

We got to the hospital at about 01.00 and were still there at 13.00. It was a bit boring for that amount of time. I wandered about the hospital a bit and when they bought my wife breakfast, I leapt up only to be told that food was only for the mothers. ( my point that she was not yet a mother didn’t really endear me to the nurses). My wife had also being given some drugs to ease the pain so I was just left in the corner ready to spring into action when the birth started, which I did. And it was all good although I did get to see things that I probably will never get out of my head.

Now when it was our second baby’s turn to make an appearance, I was going to make sure I was ready this time. We had my wife’s bag packed a few days early with everything she needed, but quietly and steathily I was preparing my own bag…

I had an iPad, snacks, packed lunch, packed breakfast, book, music and headphones etc ( I was not going to make the same mistake). Come 22:00 at night off we go to the hospital. I drove up to the main doors and someone offered to take my wife up in a wheelchair, whilst I parked the car. So I caught up with her after 10 minutes, her bag under my arm and my bag hidden away.

Wouldn’t you know it that baby no2 arrived in 12 minutes, 12 MINUTES. Within 40 minutes of our arriving at the hospital, I was heading home to relieve my wife’s Mum from babysitting our eldest. I had not even opened my bag or had one bite of my sandwich!!!!!

I know we shouldn’t try to make too many plans but a quiet 30 minutes to eat my sandwiches shouldn’t be too much to ask.. should it?