Should Children Witness Childbirth?

[Enonemouse]

Due to a power outage, only one paramedic responded to the call.

The house was very dark, so the paramedic asked Katelyn, a 3-year old girl, to hold a flashlight high over her Mommy so he could see while he helped deliver the baby.

Very diligently, Katelyn did as she was asked, Heidi pushed and pushed, and after a little while Connor was born.


The paramedic lifted him by his little feet and spanked him on his bottom.


Connor began to cry.


The paramedic then thanked Katelyn for her help and asked the wide-eyed 3-year old what she thought about what she had just witnessed.


Katelyn quickly responded, "He shouldn't have crawled in there in the first place. Smack him again."

[HappyHaHaGirl]

hehe...that's cute.... I keep wanting another baby....I think we might have to have Skip place a temporary ban on posts having anything to do with babies so that I won't get excited and run out to get knocked up... :)

[MattInVegas]

hehe...that's cute.... I keep wanting another baby....I think we might have to have Skip place a temporary ban on posts having anything to do with babies so that I won't get excited and run out to get knocked up... :)
So, don't read 'em, silly. ;)

[Jesus~]

That was good. ;)

Kids shouldnt see childbirfth.

[MattInVegas]

I'm not so sure about that Jesus. I'd rather my kids learn about Sex from me, and thier Mom, than out in the streets. Peers, at certain ages still teach that if the girl jumps Up & Down after sex she can't get pregnant. Can ya believe that S%&t?!

[Enonemouse]

I have to agree with you Matt. At least if you talk about it openly at home they know they can talk to you about it as well. My eldest came to me for advice when he and his girlfriend had a PG scare and it was me they came to to ask if I would take her to get the pill but in the end I talked her into talking to her Mom who took her in the end.


Love & Laughter
EnonEmouse

[Althea]

I agree with Matt 'n Mouse about how it's best for the child to learn about sex from their parents. My hubbie and I talk about everything with our boys and in turn they can talk about anything with us and always know we will answer any questions they may have. Since my boys are still relatively young (14,12 & 7) sometimes it's hard to answer some of their questions with a straight face. For example my middle son asked a while back "Louis said a blow-job is when someone blows on your penis. Is that true??". It was all I could do not to lose it. I ended up telling him what it really was and he was disgusted *lol*.

As far as a child witnessing their mother giving birth, though, that's a tough question. Birth is a traumatic event for everyone involved. Hell, I remember when I gave birth to my second son & my parents brought me eldest son (who's 22 months older than his brother) to visit me in the hospital and he was very upset. He has always been a very sensitive kid and he just didn't like the fact that I looked the way I did (all tired out) etc. I can't imagine how traumatized he would have been if he had witnessed the actual birth. I know how he was/is and seeing me in pain like that would have really upset him. And now that they're older if I had another baby (which I don't plan on doin' !!!) I think it would be uncomfortable and a bit embarrassing (my sons are all easily embarrassed and quite shy) to have them there. Also there is the fact to consider that not all births are a breeze with no complications. My friend just had a baby 3 months ago and when he was born he was not breathing. The doctor immediately established that the baby had a heart problem and all hell broke loose in the room and the baby was air-lifted to another hospital. Now imagine if her 6 year old daughter had been there at the time. She would have been so confused, scared and upset.

[MattInVegas]

Let me put it ANOTHER way for any who Disagree. Would you rather teach by example: Your daughter to give oral sex, or teach her how to NOT get Pregnant? And. Would you rather let your kids watch porn, or WAR movies? (Learn to live, or how to KILL?)

Maybe the first was a BAD example, but it's all I could think of at the time. :(

[honeyhannah]

Katelyn quickly responded, "He shouldn't have crawled in there in the first place. Smack him again."
That's precious! I think there's nothing wrong with having kids witness birth, its reality. Kids are told too many fairytales, and sheltered from the truth.

[HappyHaHaGirl]

So, don't read 'em, silly. ;)
That's too simple...

[Earthy Mama]

um croix was with me in the room when noah was born. he didnt care, he just played with his toys. then again he was only a year old.

[Lilyrayne]

Maybe I'm not one to comment on this subject, seeing as how I don't have my own kids, but here goes anyway:

I personally think that it depends on the age, maturity, and personality of the children involved. Up to a certain age or level of maturity, most kids would probably see childbirth as just anything else... a lot of little kids are like "ok, whatever" and then they remember it later on and it's not a big deal.

However if a kid reaches the age or maturity level where they are self conscious about seeing "private parts" and they don't normally see it at home, and have not seen childbirth before, they should be given the choice whether or not to see it, but only after the parent has explained everything in as much detail as their understanding allows.

I think it also depends on how conservative the family generally is. Some familys all walk around naked in front of each other and discuss sex and it's nothing, it's completely natural part of life... other families never undress or talk about sex at all in front of each other. I think children from the second type of family should not witness it because they would be confused, and it's too much for them to sort out. But children from the first type of family would probably be able to see it for what it is... cool, amazing, and really interesting.

Personally, if I were going to have children, I would more closely resemble the first type of family, but not quite to that extreme, so yes I would allow MY children to watch their siblings being born, after fulling explaining the way that Mommy feels about it all and what exactly is going to happen. I would hope that this would give them a whole new respect for life, mothers, and sex when they are older.

[Enonemouse]

My last two where sections and I had my eldest at both their births. He had to stay away fro the cutting but he held both his baby brothers before I did. I had epidurials for both. The hospital wouldn't let the two year old be there for his brother birth but he held him when he was only hours old as well. I have made the older ones as much a part of the new additions life as soon as posssible so they felt like they where are part of it all not being left out. There was tiny gifts from the baby to them each time as well nothing expensive but something to say Hey thanks for being my brother. I have always wanted my boys to be close and they are. I have seen how distant some families are from each other and I never wanted that. I always wanted them to be a part of the birth of their younger family memebers. My eldest was 9 when the middle one was born and 11 when the youngest was born and the thing he thought was the funniest of it all was the fact that Mom swore at the nurse. I had gone into labour with my last even though I wasn't suppose to so I was a bit miffed when she said now remember your breathing and I told her to piss off (in a bit harsher words) it had been 11 years since I went to those classes and there was no hope I was going to remember any of it. When your a planned section you don't think about labour. The other think he thought was cool that I was awake when they where cutting me open. Other then that he was well prepared for what was going to happen and I think that all makes a big difference. Like you said Bree if the household is prudes and a child is then thrown into a birth situation they will freak out I am sure.


Love & Laughter
EnonEmouse

[MattInVegas]

That's too simple...

What can I say?! I'm simple minded! ;)

[MattInVegas]

I am from that first type of family. I got grounded if I tried to (Gasp!) Kiss a girl!

But! I was fortunate enough to witness the birth of my first two kids. I cut the cord on my oldest son, (Now about 21 yrs.) and had to CATCH my daughter when her mother sneezed! How's THAT for an easy birth, ladies? (Don't be too jealous... ;) )
It's an experience I reccomend. (Being there, I mean.)

[honeyhannah]

I am from that first type of family. I got grounded if I tried to (Gasp!) Kiss a girl!

But! I was fortunate enough to witness the birth of my first two kids. I cut the cord on my oldest son, (Now about 21 yrs.) and had to CATCH my daughter when her mother sneezed! How's THAT for an easy birth, ladies? (Don't be too jealous... ;) )
It's an experience I reccomend. (Being there, I mean.)
That's funny! Sounds like something you'd see on the Cosby show!

[cerridwen]

that's pretty cute... :)