TuscMoms.com

Wondering if your older child should attend your birth? Here is what Babycenter has to say about it.

Has anyone had their older child at the birth? How was the experience? Or did you decide against it? If so, why?

http://www.babycenter.com/0_preparing-your-child-to-att...iblings-birth_176.bc

I don't know about this, I guess it would depend on the child. I think it could be too scary for a young child. Also, I think the Mom would have trouble focusing on pushing, dealing with contractions, etc if she is having to worry about her child being in the room.

I was in the delivery room when my youngest brother was born - I was 8 years old. Although it was a fast and easy birth (as I now know), I was somewhat traumatized by it I think. I remember vividly the needle for the local anesthetic before the episiotomy (otherwise it was a natural birth). But, I do think some of that fear helped keep me from getting pregnant before I was ready - the fear stuck with me until I was "grown up."
My children, 7 and 3 have no interest in seeing the birth of the third baby, and I agree with SarahMay that it would probably be distracting for the birthing mother. I prefer to know they're being taken care of somewhere away from where I am - then they can come meet their new sibling later.
Plus, what if something went wrong - that could be incredibly traumatizing for a child.

LawMommy- Did I miss something? Are you expecting your 3rd?

Well, I'm not big on announcements...and I'm sure y'all notice I don't post pictures or names or whatever (privacy stuff), so again not so much on announcements. But yes.

CONGRATULATIONS!!
Fantastic news!

Congratulations!!! I was on to your secret! lol...

Thanks! Now if we just won't have anymore 100+ degree weather anytime soon, I'd be happier.

Congrats, LM!! Yes, I can imagine you are ready for cooler weather!

Awww CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!

We had Jacob and Alex in on the birth of Alyssa. We had planned on Jacob being there, and Alex just sort of happened. I went super fast, as soon as I got to the hospital my water broke, and I was at 8cm. So contractions after my water broke were not fun. My sister took the boys out and seconds before Alyssa made her appearance hubby ran and got them. My sister had them behind the curtain, I think, and then when she was born, Jacob cut the chord, again we had planned this from the begining, and the boys changed her 1st diaper. Jacob had just had his 5th bday a week before and Alex was 2.5.

since we had planned on Jacob being there, we had talked to him ALOT about everything. me being in pain, etc.