I’m afraid that we already know.
Mrs. Butler had a c-section (and will for the next one, whenever that one is created).
While I didn’t get to cut the cord from the placenta, they did allow me to do a ‘ceremonial cut’ after they had ‘degreased’ the Butlerette. I was amazed at how tough it was to cut, even with the super scissors that they provided.
We had been asked in advance how much we wanted to have me involved, and if it had gone the normal deliver route, I would have liked to have delivered, and cut the cord. Alas, all I got to do was watch as my wife went through the unplanned c-section, and cut the cord long after the Butlerett was out.
As the next one will also be a c-section, I’ll probably get only the same opportunity to cut after the kid is out. Hopefully this time, I’ll be in the OR from the very beginning, rather than after the cut has been made into my wife. (Was a bit peeved about that).
I was gravely offended when my husband declined to cut the cord of our youngest son, but I was a little emotional at that moment. He did cut the cord of the one before that, if I recall (that was two years ago), and it grossed him out. Now I see that his response wasn’t so uncommon.
He’s also the guy who ran for the head of the bed the minute I started pushing. Love him, but he’s squeamish.
When Fang was born, I had two jobs. First was to take care of things UP HERE. The doctor was perfectly able of taking care of things DOWN THERE. Cutting the cord was definitely part of what was going on DOWN THERE.
My second job was to make sure the baby that came home with us was the same on that came from DOWN THERE.
Declined. I’m not in the least bit squeamish, but I figured I’d let the medical professionals handle the sharp instruments around the newborn.