1. If poor dads are supposedly "traumatized" by witnessing a birth, just think how it would affect 8-year-olds!! I can't even imagine. But I suppose in centuries past it happened all the time.

Posted at 8:12AM on Mar 30th 2006 by Nancy Toby

2. I suppose it depends a lot on what her parents had taught her about birth beforehand. If she's been taught that birth is beautiful and natural then I'm betting she's less "traumatized" than if she was taught that birth was something to fear like so many Americans. I've known plenty of children of all ages who witnessed the planned homebirth of their siblings with great joy.

Posted at 8:48AM on Mar 30th 2006 by momma2mingbu

3. Wow. I would imagine it was interesting to the girl, and only scary in terms of "can I do this?'. What a wonderful thing, for her to be there, and to HELP. I would have LOVED to do that as a kid. However, I would have worried about my mom a wee bit.

What a cool chick!

Posted at 9:55AM on Mar 30th 2006 by thordora

4. These stories catch my eye in that I, too, have experience a quick labor. Well, at least relatively speaking. Almost 2.5 years ago I arrived at the hospital at 6:30am and my daughter was born (no time for epidural) by 8:30am.
That's fine that some people experience home births with great joy, but had I given birth at home I would have been in big trouble - while my giving birth experience was good, I was unfortunate enough to experience a post-partum hemorrhage.
Now that I'm almost five months pregnant again, I worry about making sure I get to the hospital on time. And while I appreciate the fact that children are capable of many amazing feats, I don't think my toddler will make the best birthing partner!

Posted at 9:58AM on Mar 30th 2006 by Nancy

5. Nancy -

Make sure you get lots of iron!

Posted at 10:18AM on Mar 30th 2006 by momma2mingbu

6. It might be a little scary for an unplanned home birth, but I think most of that would go away with one that was planned to happen at home. I have a friend who delivered all three of her children at home. She's due in July, and her older two daughters are looking forward to helping out again. I think it's pretty cool, because they know first hand that labor isn't something to fear.

Posted at 10:28AM on Mar 30th 2006 by Caitlin

7. OK I was reading this with interest and did not think too much of dad being away on business UNTIL I saw that this happened the first time too. I had an ambulance birth with my twins and if I were to have another baby and my husband was planning a business trip anywhere near my due date, I think I would scream! I wonder if this guy is in any hot water at home.

Posted at 11:51AM on Mar 30th 2006 by Margaret

8. momma2mingbu,

After the hemorrhage, my diet primarily consisted of red meat, raisins, cream of wheat, apricots, and Guinness! Rather enjoyed the diet and it raised my iron level (which had dropped to 6) back to normal in about a month. Still, wouldn't wish that on any new mom. Chances of it happening again are remote, according to my doc, but my experience shows you just never know...

Posted at 1:13PM on Mar 30th 2006 by Nancy

9. Yikes! My husband has a (very important) business trip about a week before my due date - maybe I could hire this gal to come and stay with me! :-) I don't think my 2 year old would be up to the task.

Posted at 1:58PM on Mar 30th 2006 by Kate