Giving birth without your spouse?

Has anyone had to give birth without their spouse? How did you handle it, and how can you make them feel like they are still part of the process?

My DH will still be in the hospital when I have the baby. I still dont know who will be in the room with me when I do give birth but I was thinking of having one of his friends who is good with a camera to take good pictures so he will feel like he was there.

If anyone has any ideas of how to make him feel included I would definitely appreciate it!

Re: Giving birth without your spouse?

I've never been in this situation but I like the picture idea. Could you maybe have the friend set up some sort of video chat so that your husband is there without actually being there?

Giving birth without your spouse?

I would definitely try to Skype or something so he is not totally missing out. I would probably have my stepmom with me if DH was not available.

Giving birth without your spouse?

Will it be the same hospital? Is it possible for them to move him to your room or a special room for the birth?

Re: Giving birth without your spouse?

Giving birth without your spouse?

Crashing....I'm a NICU nurse and I recently went to a delivery where the dad was a patient (burns maybe? His legs looked bandaged up like burns) and he was parked next to the bed in a wheelchair and hospital gown. If you're delivering at the same hospital I would see if it would be possible for the nurses to bring him over to L&D!

Otherwise, Skype or facetime! I've seen people do that too for family members.

Re: Giving birth without your spouse?

Yeah I was originally told he would be able to be wheeeled over to my unit but then they told be it wasnt allowed because its a clean unit. So I guess now I'll see if skype is an option.