Allow Kids during childbirth

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Now, some of my colleagues mentioned this. Allow the kids to watch while their mother is in labour.

Fully dilation to crowning to delivery of the head or legs to shoulder rotation to everything and the kids watching.

There has been loads of discussion about this issue here because vietnam doesn't allow this.

As for me, I have mixed reaction. Do I want my kids to watch me opening up? Or Let my kids watch me while screwed my face until all the jugular veins about to pop open?

I don't know.

What do you all think about this?

Kelly - don't worry about hubby. You'll be surprised at what they can stomach when it's their child, their wife, etc....

I'm surprised at the poster who said she would let her girls watch, but not her boys. Of course I would give either the option to watch, but I think automatically excluding him from the process is an action that will only perpetuate the myth that having and raising children is strictly "women's business."

As for the original question at hand, I think if the child is well prepared for the experience, and has another adult to run "interference" with them, than it can be a really positive experience.

Heather

I have mixed emotions on this one too. Depends on the age and the maturity of the child. My husband's grandmother, who is the oldest of oodles of children, helped deliver most of her siblings at home (life on the farm!):eek: I guess my only concern would be how the child would react during an emergency situation. One of my kids had his cord wrapped around his neck very tightly (he was actually born with his little hands "gripped" on the cord like he was trying to get it off!) Suddenly, the doctor and the nurses got very quiet - it was a very scary and tense few moments. Fortuantely, everything came out OK - but you have to remember that anything can happen during childbirth and unfortunately things can go wrong with a seemingly normal pregnancy and delivery. JMHO. ;)

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Kids are allowed in at Mom's and Dad's discretion. I see young ones handle it quite well, when properly prepared. The ones who won't usually leave anyhow, and stay w/grannie in the waiting room. And if I see them being "coerced" against their will,which is rare, I talk w/mom about this and try to convince her that it is not in their best interest to force such a HUGE experience on an unwilling participant.

MOST OFTEN IT IS NEVER AN ISSUE I HAVE TO INTERVENE IN.

It really is not up to me, after all, we are in the business of pleasing the patients and their families and do what they request. Most of the time it works out ok. Most of the time...

Here's my two cents. I had my 3rd child with my 10yo, and 6yo in attendance. I coached the kids on what was to happen, (plus I figured that this delivery would be relatively easy (oxymoron), as my two previous). Both kids stayed up at my head for delivery, snuck a peek or two when baby brother came out and that was it. Grandma was waiting in case anyone freaked, of if we got into trouble. Now that my oldest is 14, I don't think he'd be comfortable in the delivery room, you know, that teenage STUFF. It was a wonderful experience for our whole family and special for all of us to be there. But I did have it planned for emergencies and warned my oldest that childbirth does hurt - but, that is normal. It workded well with us!!

As long as the children are prepared. It could be traumatic for some. I feel for my patients when they are pushing, I find myself pushing along with them. Maybe there should be an age limit.

It may be a good idea to make all pre-teens attend a birth. It might reduce the amount of teen pregnancies.

-Russell

Originally posted by Rustyhammer

It may be a good idea to make all pre-teens attend a birth. It might reduce the amount of teen pregnancies.

-Russell

Ditto.

Heather

Rustyhammer I like your thinking....

It may be a good idea to make all pre-teens attend a birth. It might reduce the amount of teen pregnancies.

I would take it a step farther, following the childbirth experience, let the teens spend some time in a NICU. Let them see what can happen to babies when there is no pre-natal care, when there are drugs and/or alcohol involved. And then let them talk to some struggling teen parents. The ones who quit school to flip burgers because they no longer fit in, or the ones who no longer have the freedom they had because they now have a child to care for.

There is so much more that can be done in the fight against teen pregnancies. If only TPTB would listen to the voice of reason at times, instead of worrying about upsetting the poor children!!

bob

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