As an OB/GYN practice in the Fox Valley, we focus so heavily on women’s care topics and pregnancies, so with Father’s Day coming up we thought it’d be fun to take a look at the other person who is frequently in the delivery room – the father. “I know exactly how nervous those dads are in the delivery room,” recalls Dr. Cherney, physician with Women’s Health Specialists. “While I know how to care for a baby in the womb, caring for a newborn was a whole new experience for me and I was just as nervous bringing our baby home as every other new parent leaving the hospital.”
Many of our physicians will tell you what a privilege it is to be able to help bring a baby into the world and witness the reactions of the new parents. “With the dads, they’re usually by the mom’s side through the labor, nervous as can be,” commented Dr. O’Leary, physician with Women’s Health Specialists, “Then the moment comes when the baby arrives and I sneak a glance over at the dad, and see him looking at the baby with wide eyes. You can clearly see that his whole world changed in that first look at the baby.”
Once home new parents face a slew of new challenges, and for dads that can include trouble bonding with their baby. “I always looked back at things my father did and incorporated them into raising my girls,” says Dr. O’Leary. “For instance, he was a great storyteller, sharing elaborate and whimsical stories that he’d make up. I’ve done the same with my kids and it’s something we’ve all truly enjoyed and created a special bond through. My grandfather was quite the storyteller, too, so I hope it’s something that continues in our family.”
The physicians at Women’s Health Specialists would like to wish all the dads in the Fox Valley a Happy Father’s Day, especially those that we’ve helped on their journey to fatherhood.