I have never understood the concept of birth as a spectator sport. Nor the sense in hanging around the hospital for the baby to come, ala the 1950's and 60's. Yes, hubby/daddy-to-be should be there....he is a big part of the process and after having the fun of making a baby, he needs to see just how much work it takes to bring it to completion. I'm pretty sure neither set of grandparents to be were at the starting line, filming the action. So filming the birth is just a tad grotty. The few kids that I knew, who's births were filmed, didn't much care for them either.....and they destroyed them the first chance they got.
bdwell1904, correct me if I'm wrong, but everyone that was objecting to your presence in the room, had absolutely no say in the matter (Dil and son didn't mention it until others got po'd). With the cattle herd that was tromping around in that labor room, really, what was one more? Your son asked you to leave for Dil's privacy....it seems he knew you would listen and comply without making a scene (hoping your example would clue in the others?). He probably would have liked to toss the in-laws and his sister too, but didn't want to cause his wife stress ...on top of her labor.
As to your son not answering his phone...he is either tired, overwhelmed, or herding cats trying to get things done. I hope your daughter gets some therapy to realign her nose joint...before she heads towards that labor room herself. She seems to have her priorities a bit bass-ackwards and could use some one-on-one time talking it out with a detached third party.
