Did you have your mum/sister/dad/friend at your baby's birth?

[Bishberro]

Hi - I'm a regular forum user and also a journalist and I'm working on a feature for a glossy parenting mag about unusual birth partners. I'm looking for women who had someone other than/as well as their husband/partner at their baby's birth - so it could have been your mum, your sister, a friend, your dad or even your older child/a cab driver/bus driver if you had an unexpected birth before you had chance to get to hospital (last few are probably wishful thinking!). You'd need to have had your baby in the past year and be prepared to have your photo in the mag.

If this sounds like you or someone you know then please PM me and I can explain a bit more. Thank you!

[Otta]

I can't for the life of me imagine why a woman would want her father there!

[Coach Beth]

I had my friend Sue, my partner Dave, his grown up son from a previous relationship who was a medical student at the time (now a doctor!) and his grown up son's girlfriend (also a medical student now a doctor!) I figured I wouldn't really care who saw what, that I would be too far gone to give a darn and it would help his grown up son feel a part of things, bond with his brother more and also, medical students need to witness a birth so I thought it would help there! However, I had my son almost 7 years ago now!

[jollybaby]

I was at the birth of my niece - wasn't planned but after 30 hours she decided her husband was being useless and so my services were requested. I even cut the cord and got a great photo of the placenta! There was also a medical student and student midwife so a very full labour room. This was 6 years ago and so probably a bit long ago for your article.

[Sally81]

I had my sister as well as my husband. I was previously at the birth of both of her sons too! My son is nearly ten months old.

[The Nappy Lady]

I had my mum first time, & my sister & my children's Godmother (who has no children of her own) the second time. She has an amazing bond with my daughter as a result & I'm so glad I was able to let her experience birth first hand. I'm afraid it was 3 years ago though, so like others above, no good to you.

[Meathgirl]

My friend's partner was invited to attend the birth of a complete stranger after finding the woman collapsed on the street and calling an ambulance for her. Apparently her husband wasn't going to make it in time. So he did!

[beeandson]

Meathgirl Wrote:

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> My friend's partner was invited to attend the

> birth of a complete stranger after finding the

> woman collapsed on the street and calling an

> ambulance for her. Apparently her husband wasn't

> going to make it in time. So he did!

fantastic story!

[Saffron]

Otta Wrote:

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> I can't for the life of me imagine why a woman

> would want her father there!

My friend had her son very young, in her late teens. Her mother had been absent from the family for some time. Her boyfriend did a runner when he found out she was pregnant. She was (and is) very close to her father, so he was the natural choice for her birthing partner! :)

[onefifty]

I hadn't planned on it but I had my Dad. I went into labour 2 months early and husband was 2500 miles away. The labour was very fast and when they said it was time and did I want anyone to be in the room with me I said my Dad. I think he was as surprised as I was but it was a wonderful experience for both of us. The first birth he had ever witnessed and a lovely bond between my son and his Grandpa.