How do I get my DH more interested in the birth?

[thedogwalker]

I am 30 + 4 with first child. I have been reading as much about the birth process as possible, from the good and bad stories in magazines and on here. Boy have some of the stories on here had me crying with laughter. However, whenever I try and get my DH on to the subject, he says he doesn't need to be told how to become a Dad as it will come naturally. He completely misses the point that I want him to know what to expect during the birth so that he can be a better birth partner for me.

Any hints or tips to get him interested are most welcome.

My dh was exactly like that, and when the bit came to the bit he loved the whole birth process,
infact he hates that BIL thought it was like a war zone and stayed at the top end, and can't understand why any other man wouldn't want to see the ins & outs of it all,
the midwives couldn't praise him enough, he was cleaning up after me, they kept telling him he didn't have to,
but he is just not interested in reading about it, watching it etc,
actually I don't think my dh had even held a baby until he held dd1, it all came naturally,

so I say don't worry

Don't worry, and don't force the issue either. What he will need to do during the birth is be there for you, and do what you ask him to - and you won't know that till the time comes.

Sorry mean hes just not interested in watching birth programmes etc

yeap like CMOT says as long as he is there for you and supports you he will get it right anyway

dh has never watched a bith story, read about one etc. but each and every time he has been the perfect partner for me. he knows i like to be left alone to get on with it, dont like to be touched, and fetches and carries for me, drinks snacks etc.

Agree that you shouldn't force it - it probably still seems quite unreal and intangible to him. The best birth partner is a)present and b)supportive - there really isn't a whole hell of a lot else he can do, so relax about that. And good luck.

Hello OP, I was worried about exactly this in the run up to DDs birth, but again as with the other posters my DH was fine when it came to it! Honestly I would not push it (no pun intended), they just don't need to do the preparation we do and I think hassling my DH to watch a birth film was counterproductive! He will be great on the big day and you will benefit from the preparation you have done. Congrats and good luck
PS it is the most amazing thing ever

is your DH quite scientific or mechanical in his approach to life? if so, you can probably involve him in the actual decisions that you'll be making and need support with.. i would definately expect my DH to engage with the birth plan and choices and supporting my wishes... but i would never expect him to be interested in the emotional side or in anybody else's birth.

my DH is into endurance sport so i'm likening it to a marathon for him.. he knows that at some point i'll 'hit the wall' and may appear irrational but i've told him what i need at that point from him.

Thanks for all your kind words, I will stop worrying and not nag him to read up on the subject.

He is so excited about becoming a Dad,so I don't want to put him off by getting on his case all the time.