Just wondering what others think of this?
DH and I were casually talking about our birthing plan and he informed me he will "have to be on his phone" during L/D to update his mom with everything that is going on.
I tried explaining that I am going to need him to be present with me 100% for support, but he really just doesn't get it.
- I am totally fine with keeping all of our families / close friends "updated" ... to an extent. He is the type to (trying to put this nicely) "zone out" into his phone. Blah.
Re: Thoughts on cell phones in L/D?
i was thoroughly annoyed while my husband was on the phone while i was in labor. Everyone important was present. He just took random calls that came in from people. i wanted to slap him. theres two times that someone should be updated while your in labor. when you first get to the hospital, and after baby arrives. all the time in between is for YOU and HIM. not everyone else!
ETA: i was only at the hospital for 2 hours before my son was born so i was already in very active labor upon arrival. If i were in labor for 12 hours i would feel much differently about it.
I was induced at 41 weeks 6 days and it was a long process to get my labor started (had to do it as placenta was degrading).
Anyways-- we both were on our laptops and cell phones until true "active" labor started (which in my case was from 7 Am until 8 PM when they broke my water after being maxed on pitocin twice which did nothing).
So-- I say bring them as you don't know how fast things will progress and it might be very boring.
I would also talk to him about your concern-- that you need his support and that when things are active and getting tough, you expect that he will be fully present with you and not playing with the phone or texting others. As long as he gets it and understands the difference, you should be ok.
If things are taking a while, then having the phone and going out in the hall or wherever to update family/friends would be ok with me. But sitting there on the phone while I'm in labour...um...no.
DH and I have a no internet/wifi on our phones rule when we're together. It drives me nuts to see people zone out into their phones when they're out at dinner or spending time together. We'll stick to the same thing with the whole L&D process.
If DH needs to send a text or make a phone call, that's okay, but I hate it when I see people updating Facebook, using Twitter, looking at stuff online, etc. when something important is going on. Sounds like you could discuss sticking to something like that during your time in L&D.
Ha, he'd probably be prying the phone out of my hands (when not contracting and in active labor).
I am fine with it, as long as he is "present' when I need him.
My mom will be in there as well, so they can tag team if I turn into momzilla.
Haha thank you for this, and everyone else for all the input. Great to know I'm not alone!
We are both bringing our cell phones for entertainment purposes, but are not going to tell anyone that we are in labor. We, instead, have planned to announce when she makes her debuts.
I talked with hubs about this and just told him that I really don't want people to be constantly checking in on our progress and such. This time is going to be about the start of our family, the 3 of us. Rather than letting our families know about this decision, we will just call with the news of her arrival. At that point they will be too excited about the news to be upset about being left out of the labor process.
Will updating family members on your progress really make your labor and birthing experiences better?
I am just lurking here for a bit out of boredom but this scared me. His mommy is not priority while you are laboring!
This. It can actually get a little boring in there.... HOWEVER. Once you start pushing, I would have a no more texting/talking rule until after baby is born.