Would you consider having your children present for the birth of their siblings? And by present i mean IN THE ROOM when they are delivered.

I know a lot of women that have done the home birth thing and had their children witness the birth of their new brother/sister.

TO ME i find it a little odd, and would think it would be slightly traumatizing to the older sibling that is there.

No I don't think I would let my children be present for the birth. IMO it's just too emotionally charged for kids to be around.

My sister-in-law had all three of her children at home. And the other children were allowed to watch if they wanted to. It was their choice. It's my understand they watched long enough to see what was going on, and left as they lost interest. The oldest daughter watched almost the whole time for both her brother and sister. She never showed any problems with it and is now expecting her second child.


I think it depends a lot on the child and the whole family attitude. As long as the experience is treated in a calm and relaxed (well, as much as it can be relaxed) manner, and there are explanations before and after, then it shouldn't present any problems.

I wouldn't want to have my kids present. I think it would probably be OK for them, however, it would not be OK for me! I wouldn't be comfortable with the kids there. I'd be too worried about what they were thinking and if they had everything they needed.

No, I would never allow the siblings to watch their baby brother/sister coming out from their mother's womb. Its just not normal for the kids to see a baby coming out with all the blood and the expression of the mother having pain. They might be traumatized and might carry that site for the rest of their life. They might then be afraid to have a baby of their own in the future.

I would never consider letting small children into a birthing room. I would not want any of my children witnessing that,Better to let them see the animals give birth.They don't seem to be in as much pain.My husband says it looks awful anyway...lol:D

I don't want them to be present when I am giving birth. Even my hubby doesn’t want to be around. He preferred waiting outside the delivery room. He doesn’t want to see some blood. :)

I had my kids at home, and my then almost two year old was present for her little brother's birth. My mom was in charge of her during my labor, and took her out of the room when she was bored or stressed. She did really well, singing along with me during the contractions. She came in when my water broke and I started pushing, but she elected to look out the window instead of watch, which was fine, and then she came over when the baby was born. She was not traumatized at all and I feel she got a good view of a natural childbirth. I don't know if I would have wanted her there if I was in the hospital though.

I believe it's not a good idea. If I were to give birth, I wouldn't suggest my other kids to see it. I mean especially if they are really young, this can be confusing for them and can even traumatize them.