[fleshtone]

I mean he is staring directly at the vagina waiting.

[ballengerb1]

Husband is acceptable but dad is another thing. Was her spouse there?

[JudyKayTee]

I don't know - my stepdaughter asked that her father be present. He wasn't entirely comfortable... but he was there.

This is hardly a sexual experience and I have to wonder where the OP is coming from. What is his/her issue with this?

If you're waiting for a child to be delivered, where would you be looking?

[DoulaLC]

I've been at plenty of births where there are a few family members present, including the father. One birth even had both sets of parents of the couple having the baby.

It really depends on what the father and daughter are comfortable with and what the mother-to-be wants.

With my last one I had several people there, including my father. He came in and out of the room only because HE wasn't sure how much he wanted to see (certainly not the norm in his day and age!) I didn't mind either way.

[Fr_Chuck]

In many cultures it is a very much a family affair, There is nothing wrong if that is what they want.

[J_9]

I've delivered many a baby with the patient's father AND grandfather in the room. Having family members present at delivery is not as taboo as it used to be.

[fleshtone]

This is a 17 year old child without her mother in her life at the time. The father of the child was not present but her father was there. The reason I find it strange because I know my father would never even considered being in the birthing room. I find it to be very personal. When I delivered my son 14 years ago it was my husband and me. If my mother and sisters had made it then it would have been fine. But, never would my father and brothers ever entered that room. I guess it is my upbringing. It is simply not normal behaviors in my book but people have different views. I will not apologize for the way I believe.

[J_9]

Times are different than they were 14 years ago. I've had great grandfathers and great grandmothers in my birthing rooms.

The way I run my L&D rooms is that it's whatever the patient feels comfortable with. Many moons ago even the father of the baby was not allowed in the room. Times have changed.

I allow whomever my laboring patient wants in the room at the time of delivery.

[redhed35]

It could be a trust thing,she's young,she's going to be scared and in pain,having dad there to oversee and perhaps ask the questions may be a comfort for her.

Have to say I would not like my dad with me through any of my children's births,however at a certain stage in labour I would not care who is looking and long as the baby comes out!

And also,if it has not happened yet maybe he won't be at the business end of things but holding her hand and wiping her brow.

I've given birth,but never seen a baby born in real life,I think it would be an amazing experience to see a grandchild born.

[JudyKayTee]

This is a 17 year old child without her mother in her life at the time. The father of the child was not present but her father was there. The reason I find it strange because I know my father would never even considered being in the birthing room. I find it to be very personal. When I delivered my son 14 years ago it was my husband and me. If my mother and sisters had made it then it would have been fine. But, never would my father and brothers ever entered that room. I guess it is my upbringing. It is simply not normal behaviors in my book but people have different views. I will not apologize for the way I believe.

From what I'm reading no one asked you to apologize for your beliefs -

Everyone has a different definition of normal.

[J_9]

My beliefs are that only my husband was allowed in the delivery room with me. The baby was conceived in private, therefore it was to be delivered in private.

However, I cannot force my beliefs on my patients.

[DoulaLC]

This is a 17 year old child without her mother in her life at the time. The father of the child was not present but her father was there. The reason I find it strange because I know my father would never even considered being in the birthing room. I find it to be very personal. When I delivered my son 14 years ago it was my husband and me. If my mother and sisters had made it then it would have been fine. But, never would my father and brothers ever entered that room. I guess it is my upbringing. It is simply not normal behaviors in my book but people have different views. I will not apologize for the way I believe.

I agree, there would be no reason to apologize... not sure why you might feel anyone would have thought you should. What would be a comforting situation for one person, can make another feel as though they are on display. Very individual, personal choices.

If the father had not been with this girl, would there have been anyone else there for her? She may be very close to her father, especially since it appears no one else was there for her. Something as important and life changing as giving birth can often bring a family even closer.

As J_9 mentioned, a woman's body, and what can occur during labor and birth, are very often viewed differently than would be the norm at home. Of course there will always personal comfort, cultural norms, and family dynamics that come into play.

[aimee_tt]

If I were a 17 year old girl who didn't have a mother around and the father of the child was not there for me, I would want the next closest person to me there. If that's my father then so be it. She is still a child and still turns to daddy for help.

When a baby is being born your not looking at the girls pieces in a sexual way. You look at them in awe that a baby will be out of there soon, some people find it to be a beautiful thing.

If he was trying to see her parts on any other day then I would worry but seeing as he is her new mum... I wouldn't worry.

[Fr_Chuck]

And one is assuming he is "looking" he may be sitting by her holding her hand ? He may be sitting there trying not to pass out from all the blood.

[aimee_tt]

I mean he is staring directly at the vagina waiting.

This is what I'm going on.

[fleshtone]

I find it strange and actually perverted. He was at the foot of the bed waiting.

[fleshtone]

I just find it strange that he would stand at the foot of the bed and not at the head of the bed wiping her brow.

[fleshtone]

She would have had no one there and her mother was not a reliable person. They are very close because he has always been there for her. I am just trying to figure out why not stand near her head and wipe her brow instead of being in the mist.

[fleshtone]

I agree with you. I would have let my mother and sister if they had made it in time but like I said earlier, my dad and brother would not even considered coming in the room. People have different beliefs.