When you're expecting a baby, it's your decision who to have in the delivery room with you - but one mum-to-be has split opinions online after she banned her husband from watching her welcome their son into the world.
The soon-to-be dad said he's "always wanted" to be present at the birth of his children and has told his wife about his desire, which all began when his own dad told him how special it was to watch his birth.
But now that his wife is eight months pregnant with their son, she has told him she doesn't want him in the delivery room with her, and will only be allowing her mum in to guide her through labour.
While the dad-to-be has been trying his best to carry on as normal after hearing the devastating news, his wife has accused him of "sulking" and "acting weak".
In a post on Reddit, the man said: "I have been with the love of my life, Emily, for seven years, married for two. We have always talked about having kids, and I've always wanted to be there when they were born. When my dad was still alive, he used to tell me and my siblings all the time about how it literally brought him to tears, and he would say he was so grateful for all of us and for the experience.
"My beautiful and amazing wife is eight months pregnant. It's been a pretty difficult pregnancy for her. She's had a few miscarriages in the past, and I've just been praying to God for both of them to make it through safely.
"We were talking more and more about what's going to happen when she goes into labour, and she's very adamant that I not be in the room, no matter what. I've tried convincing, pleading, begging, but she won't change her mind. Her mum is going to be with her, and I understand that she needs her mum and that she needs to do whatever to make sure that everything goes smoothly. I don't wanna stress her out too much because I keep telling myself all that matters is that they're both healthy, but I'm honestly really sad about not being able to be there for my son's birth.
"It's not about me. I know that. All that matters is that they're both healthy. I've been trying to come to terms with and understand this on my own time, so as not to bother her, but Emily's just being so condescending to me. I know that she's just stressed out and scared, so she doesn't mean it, but I feel like I deserve to process this at least for a few days.
"I still do everything as I've done before, but she says that now I have this 'beaten puppy dog' look on my face, and it's 'p***ing her off'. Then, she started scolding me asking me why it mattered so much to me, and if I was going to act this weak in front of our son. She told me I needed to just be a f***ing man and 'get the f**k over it'.
"I feel like crying, but I don't want her to know, and get mad at me again, so I told her I was going out to get groceries, and am writing this in the car to try and calm myself down. I love her so much, but what she said really hit me hard. I just want them both to be healthy and safe, but I also wanted to be there."
Commenters on the post were on the man's side, as many of them said it's his child too so he isn't wrong for being upset about his wife's decision.
One person said: "It's your child, too. I don't blame you one bit for being upset. You're not an a**hole for wanting to see the birth of your kid."
While another added: "While your wife is allowed to choose her support system in her delivery room, [her comments are] totally uncalled for. You said that it matters to you because you care about them and the moment, which is a valid reason. And her belittling/gendered statement about being weak is really pretty horrible.
"You do need to be supportive of her delivery choices, but that doesn't give her a free pass to be so verbally abusive."
And a third wrote: "Your wife has the right to say she doesn't want you there. She does not have the right to demean you so much that you are writing this crying from your car. To me, this is more about her overall response than her answer."
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at yourmirror@trinitymirror.com.
