I tried to be a modern supportive husband for the birth of our firstborn, 43 years ago. We took a Lamaze course together. I stayed with my wife for her 23 hour labor. As they taught us in the course, I tried to be encouraging and supportive.

You're doing well!

I love you.

My wife's replies:

Shut up!

It's all your fault

Later, I asked her what I did wrong. I was deflated, thinking I had applied what we had learned in the course.

It made me feel better to yell at you.

Why didn't you yell at the nurses?

I didn't know them.

I'm glad I was there. But a romantic experience it was definitely not!