Not every dad feels the sacredness of pregnancy and the birth of their child in the same deep way.
Ideal Weight
The mom’s first pregnancy was tough; she was constantly nauseous and even lost a few kilos in the first three months instead of gaining. When I told her hopefully she was past the hardest part and could start gaining, her husband jumped in: “Did you hear what the doctor said? You have to feed my baby!” I gently reminded him the baby isn’t just his.
Supportive Partner
Dad’s reaction when his wife was a high-risk pregnancy: “I can’t believe it, I KNEW this would happen! You get to lie down for nine months while I work!” I also overheard him in the waiting room say: “Panna, I can’t wait for you to be skinny again—I’m so done with those sweatpants…”
Understanding (Sort Of)
The mom lost the baby at eight weeks and was heartbroken, sobbing. They didn’t have kids yet, and this was her third miscarriage. Her husband "comforted" her with: “See?! This is what happens again! I don’t know when you’ll finally let go of this baby thing…”
Either This or That
This wasn’t the dad but her dad—the “charming” grandpa—who said to his pregnant daughter-in-law before her first ultrasound: “Now we’ll finally find out if it’s a boy or an abortion, hahaha!!!” I was speechless, and her husband even laughed along. During the scan, the poor mom apologized to me for her father-in-law’s behavior.
Instead of a Touching Moment
Dad came in the day after the birth, smiling as he watched his wife breastfeed the baby. It was a touching scene—exactly why I love my job. But the magic quickly faded when he turned to me and asked when his wife could start going back to the gym.
Vulgar
Before the transvaginal ultrasound, dad jokingly said: “Doctor, let me know if you need a hand finding your way—I’m there a lot!” He grinned proudly. I felt sorry for the mom, who looked like she wanted to disappear from embarrassment.
Funny Gems
Dad’s reaction when he found out his wife was pregnant with their third child: “No way! I told you, no more kids than you have fingers—I’m not dealing with it!” Another dad’s reaction to his 34-year-old wife’s pregnancy: “You’re not seriously keeping it, are you? You’re too old to give birth—I don’t want a deformed baby!” A young dad even asked if I could tell from the ultrasound if the baby was definitely his, since he had doubts.
Boy or Girl?
Dads don’t always celebrate the baby’s gender. Here are some memorable reactions: “A third boy?! Then no thanks, I only wanted a girl now.” Once, after I announced the baby was a girl, the husband stood up and stormed out of the office without a word.
During Labor
Dads don’t hold back in the delivery room either, as these gems show: One dad gently wiped his laboring wife’s sweaty body and remarked, “Uhh honey, your stretch marks just keep getting bigger…” Another asked while the baby was crowning, “Is that the baby’s hair or the wife’s pubic hair?” My favorite: “Doctor, once the baby’s out, could you quickly tie my wife’s tubes? I don’t want any more kids.”
The Decider
A man asked if I could arrange for his wife to give birth after the soccer final. When I asked if he was serious, he indignantly said he knew we “women” couldn’t understand how huge it was for a man when his favorite team reaches the Champions League final—but still, let’s try. I told him he should decide what’s more important: his child or his team.
