The nervous wait to... have a baby

NoNameNoNumber · 27 Jul 2022 at 19:58

Evening all,
Currently sat in the maternity ward with my wife. She's 41+1 with our first baby.
She's come in for a checkup and just dropped the news that they're keeping her in to induce her.
We aren't going home until the baby is out and I think it's kinda just hit me.

We're in a long term stable and happy relationship, both early 30s, no other children etc. The dream I guess, but I've not really been excited at any point. I'm not against kids in the slightest, and as I've gotten older, I have grown to love some of the friends babies/toddlers etc. Happy to be having our own child, and my wife has yearned for years... so here we are.

Sorry, no question or real point to my ramblings...
Probably just a little shell shocked.
Poor dog is at home and has no idea!

I think my fear is being in the room with her and lots of skilled professionals, all with real purpose. Me feeling powerless and her needing me.
Nerves? Not so much, not scared, a little squeamish, so it'd be great if they didn't have to c section her.

It'll be fine right GD?

MrRockliffe · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:01

You’ll be experiencing a rush of all kinds of emotions right now

Best advice I can give is put the phone down and spend time with your girlfriend, if you can. She’ll be nervous as hell.

Best of luck OP - enjoy one of the best moments of your life.

Wishing you and your family health

Surveyor · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:02

Hope it goes well. And...

OcUK Dadsnet thread

I thought it would be nice to have a thread where expecting dads, new parents or really bloody old parents alike could ask questions and share experiences of parenting or ways to save cash etc, as well as just moan about being exhausted and skint. Are you trying to work out whether you...

forums.overclockers.co.uk

MissChief · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:03

Hold her hand. Talk to her. Help her with breathing exercises. Be prepared as Labour can go on for a long time for the first baby. You’re in for a shock laddie, but it can be the most fulfilling thing anyone can ever do.

Bluecube · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:04

It will indeed fine. The best years of your life are ahead of you. They'll occasionally be tough but they will be the best!

NoNameNoNumber · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:08

MrRockliffe said:
Best advice I can give is put the phone down and spend time with your girlfriend, if you can. She’ll be nervous as hell.

I'm in the communal waiting room, they will call me through when they have a room for us.

Thank you guys. Really appreciate your words

Tachyon · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:16

I was the same, didn't feel excited, it just seemed all very surreal. In the end it all seemed to happen very quick, although my wife probably didn't think that at the time. Enjoy every minute and best wishes to the the 3 of you.

Mason- · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:31

I have nothing to say except I wish you, your wife and your soon to be newborn all the best.

Bassmansam · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:35

Shes 41+ or mid 30s ?

Best of luck sir

Irish_Tom · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:38

Yes, you will be fine. Good luck with everything and congrats!

dlockers · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:40

Bassmansam said:
Shes 41+ or mid 30s ?

Best of luck sir

Be a bit odd to have a 41 week old wife

Kesomir · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:46

Congratulations! Not feeling excitement right now is fine, it took me a while for things to fall into place.

She needs you for support, not to do what the other trained professionals in the room will be doing. Labour took days for us, was so tired by the end! Hope yours is quicker.

It all hit me when all the buzz of everything stopped and everyone left, and my wife and I were back home with this baby, that we were now responsible for

Enjoy!

Bassmansam · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:47

dLockers said:
Be a bit odd to have a 41 week old wife

Oooh i see. I thought he meant 41+ years.

tom_nieto · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:54

Good luck! It’s an amazing thing having a child! I wouldn’t recommend being at the “business end” when baby is born!

Freefaller · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:57

Good luck - the first few years are tough, but it's the best thing in the world.

People have been having kids for centuries, you'll work it out - don't be scared to ask for help, but don't worry about "getting it wrong" - everyone finds their way, and don't compare to others, just focus on being a family.

Sheff · 27 Jul 2022 at 20:57

tom_nieto said:
Good luck! It’s an amazing thing having a child! I wouldn’t recommend being at the “business end” when baby is born!

I was about to post this, the midwife might ask if you want to watch your child being born - you might want to start thinking of an excuse that won't land you in it!

NoNameNoNumber · 27 Jul 2022 at 21:01

Tachyon said:
I was the same, didn't feel excited, it just seemed all very surreal. In the end it all seemed to happen very quick, although my wife probably didn't think that at the time. Enjoy every minute and best wishes to the the 3 of you.

Bizarre isn't it.
Everyone seems to be so excited about it all, I've just missed that boat
The wife has just asked if I've spoken to mum, it hadn't really crossed my mind. I'm in the waiting room looking up 3d printer filament

Tom_ed1987 · 27 Jul 2022 at 21:01

Good luck bro. Lots of us have been there

We had our first at a similar age & I felt the same uncertainty & lack of excitement; it wasn't planned etc, but now it's great.

P.s a C-section takes the stress away (for you)

MissChief · 27 Jul 2022 at 21:02

Bassmansam said:
Oooh i see. I thought he meant 41+ years.

I think he means 41 weeks pregnant which is quite awhile to leave her. She’s in her mid 30’s.

[FnG]magnolia · 27 Jul 2022 at 21:09

Mark Corrigan:
Oh, you know, for a while it's been pretty boring but I think we're getting to the utterly terrifying bit.

Super Hans:
Take my advice, stay away from the goal end, mate.

Mark Corrigan:
Yeah?

Super Hans:
Yeah. You don't wanna get thinking about that. It's like the... it's like the Channel Tunnel. Lovely, it's all about your holidays, but imagine you saw a ******* huge baby coming out of it. Never be the same again.

Mark Corrigan:
Right.

Super Hans:
One other tip: trip.

Mark Corrigan:
What?

Super Hans:
Trip your ******* nuts off, makes it amazing.

Mark Corrigan:
Isn't it pretty amazing anyway?

Super Hans:
Dunno. Yeah, maybe. But if you're tripping and you're having a baby, it's like "****!" You know? You see a little guy come out of there, what's gonna happen next? Frogs out of her ********? Milk out of her ears? Anything's possible.