AS we’re sure most dads would agree, witnessing the birth of your child is arguably one of the most important things you’ll go through as a father.
But despite its obvious magnitude, a new study has revealed that one in five fathers actually MISS their baby’s first moments in the world.
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A survey commissioned by parenting website ChannelMum.com has found that traffic nightmares, work commitments and being out of the country were some of the most popular excuses men had for missing the birth of their baby.
And while other dads sadly couldn’t be at the birth due to being in hospital themselves or out of the country with work, others failed to impress with their lacklustre excuses.
Whether they had tickets for an important football match or simply wanted to catch it on the telly, some of the fathers-to-be actively skipped the birth of their child for a big fame.
As for those who chose to spend their baby’s first moments down the pub, we can’t imagine that would have gone down too well with their other halves…
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What’s more, the study also found that one in 10 dads have missed the arrival of TWO or more of their children.
Although we certainly can sympathise with the dads who tried their best to be there but suffered from public transport delays or broken down cars.
Luckily for those laterunning dads, four in 10 mums said they would forgive their partner for missing the birth due to circumstances beyond their control.
Meanwhile, a forgiving three in 10 dads said they supported their partner’s decision to stay away if they couldn’t handle seeing them in pain.
Top 20 reasons a fifth of dads have missed a birth
- Choosing not to be there
- Stuck in traffic
- Didn’t get a call to say labour had started
- Unmissable football match they had to attend
- In hospital themselves
- Didn’t know labour was happening
- Partner didn’t want them in the room
- Unmissable football match on telly
- Out of the country at the time
- Car broke down on the way
- Away on business
- Stuck at work
- At the pub instead
- Sat outside because they couldn’t watch partner in pain
- Wanted to watch rugby
- Sports training
- The train/bus was delayed
- Parents inisted that they shouldn’t be there
- No phone signal
- Phone had died
Siobhan Freegard, spokeswoman for ChannelMum.com, which carried out the study among 2,000 parents, said: “Most mums are encouraged to make birth plans – but as this study shows, not all births stick to the plan.
”While most dads are desperate to see their child born, some admit they don’t cope well and opt to stay away – while in other cases mums prefer the support of other family members like their own mum, sister or even a best friend.
“Deciding who is with you when you give birth is one of the most personal decisions you’ll ever make and there’s no right or wrong answer.”
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