Cor, it's getting quite a challenge to make sure I answer each point raised! So here goes :
Maybe not equally treated, that's a little hard as the mother is in labour and the father isn't. Maybe equally seen would be a better term? He is the father and he is there to support. Therefore not invisible and shouldn't be treated as such. There would be plenty of hate for guys that didn't go to scans, classes, birth etc so at least this guys gripe is not being involved enough. Better to have someone wanting to be involved than not at all. To not let a father feel invisible all you have to do is speak to him sometimes, look at him while you are talking to both parents etc We are not saying serve us or wait on hand and foot, just acknowledge we are there, we are supporting and we can't do that if we are pushed out. You may not realise it but when you see your missus on the bed, in pain and surrounded by busy midwifes / nurses etc you don't feel you can go and push yourself in. As you say, it's life saving stuff. So why would we want to go and disrupt that happening, instead help us know when we are help rather than hindrance. Not asking alot and it doesn't take any extra time so....
Can I just add, my comments are becoming more my own view rather than the original posters. I can't say what he meant or what he was doing, I'm just talking from a father's point of view now. Some will agree, some won't. But that's our choices and we all have our own ideas of parenting and what it is. No need for such hate when discussing it :)