Kids in the Delivery Room: Family Bonding or Totally Traumatic?

I have had 3 kids and am currently expecting our 4th. We did have other people in the room with us during the deliveries of my other children but I was thinking about bringing the girls up to be apart of it until the pushing starts. I just don't know that my kids would be able to handle that sort of thing. However, if there are other parents that want to do it...well I think it is a wonderful thing....

It's not "family bonding". It's an attempty to gain attention and noteriety, and it's just plain stupid.

I believe you shouldn't hide your children from the world and I also agree that you shouldn't rush your children to grow up. I think it's personal preference. I have a 2 yr old daughter right now. My husband and I are talking about having another child in the near future. Personally, I do not want my daughter in the room as I'm giving birth. I find it a distraction and I think she would get bored. Yes I want her at the hospital when I have her sibling(s), but I think it's more of a "special time" for me & my husband.

I was 7 years old when i was in the room when my brother was born. Let me tell you it was horrible. I hated every minute of it. I still remember it til this day i was terrified, and grossed out.

The statement "she hadn't even realized she was pregnant until she felt the baby crowning" is INCORRECT. In an interview you can see that the 12 year old boy has said " 'Mom, I knew she was going to go into labour any day,' he said. 'Like, it was over the due date, so I’m like, ‘Oh, whatever, I’ll start reading these books.’ . . .' ".

So yes, she did know she was pregnant.

Just clearing that up =)

This really is nothing new I was in the delivery room when my youngest sister was born 24 years ago. I was nine then and it didn't scar me for life.

I was present when my two younger sisters were born, and I'm not collecting body parts in my basement...or anywhere else for that matter. I think it's totally dependent on the children and their maturity level. It is what it is. I've had three kids, and not had the older two present for any deliveries. To each their own, eh?

IF I had kids my answer woud be no. Yeah, childbirth is natural, albeit not always uneventful, but why the rush for little kids to experience everything NOW? Let them be kids. Its such a short period of their life.

PS. After hearing several fathers that I know say watching their child born changed their feelings towards their wife in a not positive way if I had elected to have kids I would not want my husband there.

honestly, those that think it is scarring for the child are crazy. childbirth is normal, if a lot creepy, and ppl have witnessed it for thousands of years. i personally think it would be more traumatic for the mother than for the child. esp if the childbirth isn't perfect.

While you might think it is meaningful, how many kids really want to be stuck in the hospital in a birthing suite for hours on end? What is a 2 year old going to get out of the experience? Given the choice between being stuck in labor and delivery for many many hours while Mom labors and spending the time with a friend of grandparent, guess what is going to win?

My Mom asked me if I wanted to be in the delivery room when my baby brother was born. I was in 7th grade at the time. I declined. Why on earth would I be there? My Mom used to be a childbirth instructor and so I'd seen the videos of actual births many times and knew what to expect. Not my idea of a good time.

My 4 year old son was there when his sister was born. We had other family members around at the Birth Center and we told him he could choose if he wanted to be there. He got bored through the labor and played in the Centers playroom and took walks but wanted to be there when she arrived. He was actually the first person who got to hold her. He was so excited and told everyone he met how gross she was when she came out but that he was the first person to hold her anyway. Wouldn't change it for the world.

I dont think there's anything wrong with a child in the delivery room with the mom, at least not up until the actualy moment of birth. I think it's a great bonding experience for the child and mom, but when it comes time to actually push, I think the child needs to leave. No toddler needs to see Mom like that. I had a friend who let her three year-old be in the delivery suite and through the birthing process with her. The only thing she remembers from the experience was that mommy was really hurting and when the baby came out covered in blood and fluid, she thought her younger brother was dead.

I certainly don't think it would traumatize a kid, but my favorite anecdote was a video I saw where a little kid (maybe 3 years old?) was watching his mother give birth. And what did he say as it came out?

"A PUPPY!"

Someone didn't prepare their kid very well, eh? But I don't know whether I'd have my kids in there when I give birth to their siblings.

Our oldest was 9 and was there when I gave birth to our 4th child. She seemed fine with it and we did not push her. She saw the baby come out and was the one who told me gender. She did not want to be there when baby 5 came though. So we did not push it. I will never forget the smile she had when she saw her long waited for sister.

My son wasnt allowed in the hosp when my daughter was born because of the swine flu. They werent allowing anyone under 16 and he was 3 at the time. I would of liked him to be at the hosp when his sister was born but i would not have wanted him in the delivery room it was very quick but no time for medication. I feel he wouldve been scared of mommy screaming

Just thinking: I love the point you brought up. Children should understand the world as it is. I don't try to sugarcoat anything for my children. Of course, I don't discuss genocide in Darfur with my 6 year old, but I don't tell her that her goldfish went to swim with Nemo in the ocean either. I tell her things that are age-appropriate and that I think she can handle.

I only have one child (21), but there was never any question about him being there if I had ever had any more. It really is time for society to allow children to understand the world as it is, not the ridiculous Polly Anna place we try to make it for them. Several friends over the years had siblings in the room and none are traumatized from the experience. If anything at all, it was the exact opposite. In fact, the bond those children have with each other is truly beautiful and one of the boys is almost done with med school to become an OB-GYN.

Childbirth is the most natural thing we as humans experience so why make it taboo…..?

I think it depends a lot on the maturity level of your children, and how well the birthing process goes. If I'd had relatively easy births in the past, I might possibly consider letting my four year old into the room. If she was properly prepared and the birth was (relatively) uneventful, she might be able to handle it. I wouldn't want my two-year-old son there, simply because I know he wouldn't be anything more than a distraction for everyone else and a worry for me.

What kids might not be able to handle is if a complication arises. If all of a sudden, a whole bunch of strange doctors and nurses are coming and going, talking in very worried or upset voices about their mommy, they are no doubt going to pick up on that.

Personally, I've had two c-sections, and the choice is made easy for me since only one other person is allowed in the OR with me. So hubby will be with me, and my other two will be safely with their grandparents, and personally I find that the best way to handle it. Less stress for me knowing they are a) being taken care of and b) can't really get in anyone's way.

I had my spouse, 3 of my best friends and my then 11yr old daughter in the deIivery room. I had to be induced and labored for 22hrs. It was the best experience ever !! My husband and I made it a point to involve our daughter with the pregnancy.. Prenatal visits and even gave her a sealed envelope that had the gender of the baby So, that she would be the first to know.
The bond that she has with her sister is incredible and if I could go back in time I wouldn't change a thing.

First problem with this article...the mom didn't know she was pregnant until the kid starting crowning...???!!! What! First thought that comes to mind is...was she just so fat that she never noticed the basketball size tumor forming in her abdomen? Second problem.... this poor 12 year old having to deliver the baby. That is a traumtaic experience he will never be able to un-see. When this kid is 40 and collecting body parts in his basement or mailing letter bombs we'll know why. Shame on this poor excuse for a mother for allowing this to happen. How do you NOT know you are pregnant....what a joke.