Looking Back: ‘It’s a boy, and dad was the midwife’

The Herald 28 February 1975

The mother’s delighted cry was “It’s a boy”, and for once the baby’s dad was the first to know.

There was no pacing the waiting room this time for Mr Willem Viviers (24). He delivered his second child, Billy, in the early hours of yesterday morning. Mr Viviers, who works in the bottling department of Rhodesia Breweries, said the baby was expected earlier in the week and they were getting anxious about his non-arrival.

“Then it all happened so quickly, I didn’t have time to panic”, he said yesterday. He had returned from the pub at about 11pm and found his wife Sandra (24), in labour.

By midnight or thereabout — because he failed to notice the time, his son was born in the bedroom at their Belvedere home.

“The cord was around the neck, so I lifted it off and dumped the baby on top of his mother,” he said.

“I rushed off to fetch my friend, Gil Santos, to see the baby. I forgot all about tying the cord.

“Gil came in and ‘Beautiful, beautiful’, was all he could say, he was so stunned,” said Mr Viviers.

Mr Viviers said he had seen African women giving birth in the bush during his six years in the army.

He had also stayed with his wife until 10 minutes before their daughter Tammie was born 14 months ago. Mr Viviers said he had read a lot about the birth of babies, and this had definitely helped him to avoid panic.

He sterilised some garden scissors in the kettle, tore the tapes off his daughter’s night dress and after tying the cord, cut it without trouble.

“It really makes you appreciate your wife and all she goes through to give birth. I am sure we will be 100 per cent closer. I definitely recommend that fathers should watch their children’s birth,” he said.

Lessons for the day

To be or not to be present. Should fathers be present at birth of their children? Do they have a role — other than watching?

Fathers should acquire basic knowledge about the birthing process, so as to be helpful if the need arises and also to be able to handle the situation in case of emergency.

Fathers have also been involved in prenatal care, by taking their pregnant partners to prenatal check-ups, a move which enhances their appreciation of pregnancy.

The presence of fathers before, during and after the birthing process has given them a central and unique role in the health of their children, their influence on maternal well-being, and their interactions with the health care system.

In patriarchal settings, the role of men can be complex and social and cultural traditions may conflict with public health recommendations. Initiatives to promote male involvement should focus on young men and use chiefs and opinion leaders as advocates to re-orient men towards more proactive involvement in ensuring the health of their partners.