The Experiences of a First Time Father

I knew this day was coming, I knew what to expect, we did everything by the book, but let me assure you that no level of groundwork can prepare you for what was about to happen.

It was a sleepless night the day before Kelli was scheduled for her c-section. The doctors instructions were “Get a good nights sleep and I shall see you in the operating room at 7am tomorrow morning”.Hmmmm, easier said than done doc.

That night we were preparing mentally for the birth of our baby girl, but no matter how much we tried we could not get any sleep. All that I wanted was for Kelli to not go into labour that night. She had already had a partial water break the week before and I was very nervous about that. Nevertheless I managed to get some shut eye before the alarm sounded at 5 am.

Walking down the passage of the hospital I remember saying to myself, I’m arriving here as a young man but I’m going to leave as a father. This is it, this is the day that my life is going to change forever.

Kelli was prepped for delivery and as we were going to theatre I remember one of the nurses saying “Hope all goes well for the birth of your child”.Birth? Correct me if I’m wrong but having a C-section does not deserve the title of giving birth. Giving birth is the natural more painful way, done without spinal blocks and incisions. While I argued this fact with Kelli jokingly, I knew in the back of my mind that these few moments would be our last moments alone as a couple. I said goodbye to her as I was ushered into an area that resembled a back stage fashion shoot only the attire on offer were all white medical gowns.

Once dressed I found my way into the operating room and was instructed to sit on this cold silver stool and not to move until told so. The spinal block was delivered into Kelli’s spine and had already started taking effect. I remembered that I had a camera around my neck and started taking arbitrary pictures of equipment, doctors and Kelli’s face.

Little did I know that they have already starting the procedure and had made a 10cm incision in her pelvic region. At this instant I just had to ask Kelli whether she knew they had already made an incision in her, and her reaction was “Really? I can’t feel a thing!” Shortly after the head nurse told me to stand directly in front of them to get the “birth” on camera.