My mother said that my husband should not be present for the birth of our child. He gave us a stern warning as to why.
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Dear care and food,
My husband and I are thrilled to be expecting our first child in four months. However, my mom recently came to me with some unsolicited and, in my opinion, bizarre advice.
She warned me not to let my husband see the birth of our child. The reason? She said it would ruin her sexually. She told me that she and my father had not had sex in 31 years because he had decided to witness my birth and “it made him impotent.” I told him he was crazy and not to bring up the subject again. Her response was that I would learn the hard way. This whole thing about men never having sex with their wives again after watching them give birth is just a silly urban legend, isn’t it?
-TMI, Mom!
Dear TMI,
The idea that you shouldn’t watch your partner give birth to a baby persists in our culture, but as I think you know, is completely idiotic. Many millions of people have been present for the birth of their children and have lived to tell the tale while maintaining their sex drive. Also: While your husband will be with you until he can talk to the nurses and your doctor and see your baby’s crown, the main action will be out of sight. He won’t be able to accidentally see anything you don’t want him to see.
Also: I’m sorry you now know that your parents haven’t had sex in 31 years! People are incomprehensible, perhaps especially our own parents. Your mother has adopted a story that works for her. She can keep it, but that doesn’t mean you have to adopt it too. Congratulations on your pregnancy!
—Logan
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