Man gets slammed for drinking water while his partner was in labor. Then a nurse explained why he is actually a 'walking green flag'

Inside the double doors of a delivery room, most expecting parents experience a gallimaufry of surprises. While the mother lies exhausted on the birthing bed, the father sits surrounded by doctors, anxiously waiting for his baby. It might be a happy moment, but for most, it's also a tough environment to be in. On February 5, Jen Hamilton (_jen_hamilton_), a nurse, came in to defend one such to-be father, who had gone viral for sipping on water in the delivery room while his partner was in labor. Her video has received over 264,000 likes on her Instagram. 

Green flag dad 

Hamilton mentioned a viral video where a man was criticized for his casual approach in the labor room. While his partner struggled to deliver the baby, a nurse was seen handing him a glass of water. Initially, he was watching the whole process carefully, but then he almost went into “airplane mode.” He looked like he was about to faint. While so many people mocked the man for being insensitive, Hamilton said this is exactly what he was supposed to do. "Do you think that we as nurses hand out refreshments while our patients are pushing for customer service?" she questioned.

Moreover, Hamilton emphasized that nurses actually force the fathers to sit on the hard couch and drink something during delivery. The man, Hamilton said, was probably so worried about his partner that he almost fainted. If not for a glass of water, he would have fainted, and the nurses would have had to treat him, diverting their focus from his wife to him. "So not a red flag. Actually, probably very much a green flag, because probably he was so worried about his lady that he almost fainted. Leave him alone," Hamilton added.

Dad panic 101

What Hamilton's explained in her video actually reflects a common reality in delivery rooms. But, unfortunately, people couldn't understand that emotion and criticized the poor guy in the video. In fact, 4 of the 16 medical assistants and midwives working in the Association of Anaesthetists witnessed syncope attacks in fathers attending their wife’s labour. Their research indicated that a father’s risk of fainting during his partner’s epidural is ten times higher than the risk of postdural headache.

'Poor guy'

Meanwhile, viewers agreed with Hamilton’s opinion and empathized with the man. For instance, @its_jabo remarked, “Let men be squeamish too.” Similarly, @campbell_mama29 commented, “I have delivered 4 babies, and I still don’t think I could watch someone else give birth! That’s a whole different experience! I’d probably go airplane mode too. Lol.” @jlcastleman said, “This would be my boyfriend. He can’t help it. It’s a vagus nerve response.”

You can follow Jen Hamilton (@_jen_hamilton_) on Instagram for motherhood and lifestyle content. 

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