Childbirth is the Newest Spectator Sport

Attendance at youth sporting events might be down, but attendance at labor and delivery is at an all-time high. Childbirth has become a spectator sport in case you "didn't get that memo." It has become a right of passage not only for the expectant parents, but also for aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, friends, friends of friends, and anyone else who can be pulled in off the street. My experience based on my own circus-type birth and my conversations with other moms who have also experienced a crowded delivery room is that childbirth has turned into an out-of-control free-for-all.

Sometime after men were first allowed in the delivery room (circa 1970-something here in the U.S.), childbirth became the new happening place to be. You wouldn't crash a party that you weren't invited to, but most people think nothing of showing up at an impending birth. I must say I hardly understand the fascination, with the exception of the soon-to-be parents, obviously. It's not like there is going to be an encore performance, unless of course the mother is pregnant with twins (or triplets).

Sure there will always be that lone pregnant mother who wants to be on display and have two dozen of her closest friends and family members crowding the labor and delivery room. She's probably the same mom who invited the crew from A Baby Story too, but I think she is somewhat of a biological abnormality.

It might be the result of excessive joy and anticipation that causes humans to flock in droves to the nearest labor and delivery of their closest friend, relative, or half-cousin, but personal joy is not an emotion that should take precedence over the laboring mother's wishes. The birth of a baby is the one day when a mother should have every wish granted. It is HER day after all.