Have a direct line to the anesthesiologist.

Sarah

In my experience just being there, holding my hand, being my voice was what I really needed. I made sure my husband knew all my desires, which were the most important and which were the ones that I wanted but if it didn't work out it was ok. I needed him to be my strength. With our first I was determined to go drug-free, he knew this and knew it was one of those that was the most important (of course we wouldn't have put our child's life in danger or anything) but when I began to waiver he was my strength and encourager. He listened. When he started rubbing my feet and I shook my head no and mumbled "back, back, back" he knew to stop with the feet and stay with the back until I told him otherwise lol 5 kids later and he's still the best coach in the world for me. He knows I need tons of positive reinforcement, when I start saying "I can't do this" he's there to say "yes you can, and you don't really have a choice now" lol

 Before hand I told him "I know you don't like to see me in pain and try to take away my pain by making me laugh, this will NOT be one of those times to do that. Let the pain be, help me work through it, not try to ignore it." Ended up being the best advice I could have given him. Afterward he said I was right, he was tempted to joke and make me laugh but held off and just helped me breath and focus. My last one was the first one I had any sort of meds with. I remember asking him if he would be disappointed in me (I know it's silly to think he would be but at that moment I wasn't in my right mind lol) Again his encouragement and outstanding love and amazement was all I needed, along with a hand to hold. I don't know what it was, I just had to hold his hand, I needed to know he was right there with me through it all. I would just say discuss it ahead of time, listen to her, be her voice and don't make jokes :-)

Sarah ~ mother of 5, blessed wife of 9 years

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan

Absolute DITTO on the no jokes comment! This is particularly important during the pushing part of labor. ;-)

Otherwise, just do what you're told, by mom and the nurses.

Stacie - Mom to two boys

great advice!

They only thing they should do is to be next to their wives and love them although they don't look that good when they are giving birth to a baby. I'm just glad that my husband after attending a Drug Detox changed and when this moment came he was next to me all the way.

I think that every possibility should be discussed and decided upon before labor. The husband should know exactly what his wife's wishes are and make sure the doctors follow them. I remember telling my husband, "Do NOT let anyone give me an episiotomy". And he didn't.

It was a great comfort to me knowing that after the baby was born, he was aware of where the baby was, who was taking care of the baby and that he was there when our son was circumcised.

Us moms just need encouragement and a "you can do it" attitude when we're in labor. Husbands are our cheering section and support and we need it! My husband did a great job for all three on mine. In fact, by the time I was in labor with my third, he was telling the midwife that I was ready to push before I even said anything....and I was! Lol.

:)

Cady

www.cadydidrooms.com