Most fathers anticipate with warmth and excitement the birth of their first child.  But they frequently struggle with what role they should play at their baby’s birth (and as a father.)  After all the twentieth century saw dramatic swings in what being a father means in our culture.  Historically, fathers have been peripheral to women giving birth.  Most of our grandfathers were not invited into the birth room, nor did most want to be there.  Birth was considered a woman’s business.  After the midwife or doctor arrived at the home (often the doctor was brought by the father), fathers puttered about in the shed, fixed household items, or protected the birth place by ensuring privacy for his laboring wife.  Our father recalled how his grandmother who had eight children on an Iowa farm, always labored with only the help of a woman relative.  After the first birth his grandfather knew it was his job to to take the older children to town so his wife could labor in peace and quiet.  When the birthplace shifted from home to hospital, the custom of excluding fathers and visitors continued.  This changed when hospitals began to recognize the profoundly positive influence a caring woman friend, a relative, a mother, or a father were present at the bedside.  For the first time in the 1970’s, fathers were given the responsibility of helping mothers through birth.  The term “labor coach” became part of the English language.  Fathers began being present as a helper and supporter during child birth.

As a sonography technician, you will most likely (in this day and age) to be working with husband and wife, or father and mother.  This was not always the case.

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