DP does not want to be in for C-section

[readerholic]

Have a breech baby and in all likelyhood they are going to do a c-section in a few days time. We had hoped for a natural birth but not to be. I have kind of come to terms with it but now DP says he does not want to be in the c-section. He keeps saying it's an operation and he doesn't want to see 'all of that' - he'll come in after. I have pointed out that you don't see anything - just my head and that coming in afterwards will surely give you more of an eyeful as I will still be being stitched up for a long time.
I do understand, as quite frankly I am not keen on being there either! But i dont want to miss seeing him see the baby for the first time - it's our first, and also I am not feeling v brave about doing it alone.
He has said that if I really want him to be there then of course he will but I know he really doesn't feel comfortable about it.
Anyone had any previous experience of reluctant partners? is it fairly normal for the dad to wait outside and then come in after?
Should I just ask him to be there, even though I know he'll be doing something he is uncomfortable with.
thoughts and opinions would be gratefully received.

zapostrophe, if it makes you any less worried, I was terrified of having a section - it was my worst nightmare come true. Had an emcs, and in the end, it was so non-scary and such a non-event (IFYKWIM) that DD was out before I even realised I was open. The reality was much much less scary than the fear.

I think I would point out to him tht you would probaby rather not be there either! Seriously though it's probaby not a good idea to force him although I would have felt very let down if DH hadn't been there to support me at my 2 sections.

Thanks for all the messages. Was interested to hear from people who have been through it.
Had another chat today and DP is going to be there. He decided himself so is all good - did discover that he is worried about the noise of it - as he understands that you don't get to see anything - however he has been told scare stories about suctioning and whatnots and yes he is a bit on the squeemish side.
And in defense of DP (as he does seem to have taken a bit of a battering on this thread - let's hope he never finds it!) he has been 100% supportive about everything and has always said he would be there if I needed him to. It's the old - shouldn't have to even ask - but if he was not honest about his feelings - and can't blame him for not wanting to be there - then i would probably be moaning that he is not talking about his fears.
anyway - we're both in and it looks set for one week's time.
wish me luck and ipods all round!

Good luck! it's an amazing thing about to happen to both of you!!!! And for further encouragement- I found my section was a very relaxed and joyful experience, absolutely not traumatic at all. Don't remember any sucking noises, maybe a slight slurp as ds was pulled out, but the operating team were brilliant and kept talking to us and explaining what was going on and it was really not scary.

Tell him my DP got so involved that he did briefly look where he shouldn't have (and didn't faint). He also found it so special to hold our DS first, and then give him to me.

The getting out bit is very quick, they take a bit more time putting back. But by then you have a baby to distract you.

My DH was there and he sat by my head, think he saw more than he would have liked, but that was his fault for looking round at the wrong moment. He was nervous, but they kept him outside for the edidural etc. and then he just stayed with me. Got to see DD straight after and have a family pic taken by a nurse while they were stitching me up. He was nervous, but wanted to be there and am hoping for an ELCS for DC2 and he is going to be there as well. We had music we liked on and it was a really chilled experience, didn't even think about what was happenign really just that our baby was here. Most of the time is taken stitching you up whereas the baby is out within minutes and then you are focused on them. Not sure if this will help but I would gently encourage him to be there, but if he really doesn't then try and find someone else to support. I would worry he felt he was missing out though.

As Suzie said, they do look quite dishy in the scrubs and if i was thinking that at the time it can't have been that bad!