22 Days ago my partner birthed our first child.

Leading up to that day we attended pre-natal classes together, most midwife visits and all scans.

It was our child and I was happily participating.

Our midwife asked me around the 8th month point “would you like to catch the baby” and I was freaked out by the idea, I coped out with a “eeeehh not sure, can I decide later?” (which was really a soft no at the time).

Then the day comes when my partner/girlfriend starts having contractions. Shes in enormous amount of pain and I know that the least I could do was be with her, take care of her, and distract her as best as I could.

For 3 hours I clicked an app on and off according to her contractions so we could track the progress (had to get to a certain point before our midwife would advise we go to the birthing unit).

For the next 5 hours I had a very focused routine - Hold her hand through the contractions and constantly remind her to take huge breaths on the gas, give her water and apply a cold compress to her head when she wasn’t, and watch like a hawk for the signs the next one was starting so I could give her the best support possible when she needed it.

Then “stage 2” started - her body wanted her to push. We tried different angles but the only thing that was working for her was the “stirrup position”…guess who was one of the stirrups? Yup, one leg against my hip and full view of “down there”.

And guess what…I wouldn’t have traded that for anything. Seeing the first bit of my childs head come out (my heart hurt with joy at that sight) and told my midwife “yes I will catch the baby”.

And 10~ round of contractions later I caught my new baby girl as she was birthed.

I was the one to put her on my partners chest.

I was the first human she laid eyes on.

I was the body she soaked warmth from when my partner had to birth the placenta

I was the first one to sing to her to help comfort this little creature that went from a quiet, warm, safe place to this noisy bright shocker of a world.

For the rest of my life I will have this amazing memory.

Did I have to do any of that? Nope (maybe my partner would say “yes you sure did”, but really…no I did not)

But I sure am glad I did.

Take the long view - would you like to have an amazing moment like this for the rest of you life? To start off the bond with your child in such an intimate way?

Hope this makes you think about it in a different light.

Note: While I didn’t find it gross with my partner and my baby I am less certain I would want to see anyone else’s birthing…

edited for spelling