A mom ended up defying gender norms by driving herself back from the hospital hours after giving birth while her partner napped in the backseat.
Birth plans play an important role in improving the childbirth experience for millions of women. A 2022 study published in the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth identified a number of benefits to the establishment of a birth plan.
Based on a randomized controlled clinical trial involving 106 pregnant women, researchers found birth plans increased the mother's perceived sense of support and control in labor while also reducing their fear of delivery.
They also helped guard against potential psychological issues like depression and PTSD and were found to increase the frequency of vaginal delivery.
Not every birth goes quite to plan though and it's important to be flexible should a road block occur. Jade Harrison, from Ripon in North Yorkshire, England, originally planned to have a home birth but it didn't work out that way.
"I labored at home for ages," Harrison told Newsweek. "Went to hospital and was six centimeters dilated so they put us in the delivery room. I fainted and the emergency bell was pressed. I was fine, gave birth an hour and 45 mins after arriving at hospital. No complications or epidural etc."
Though it might not have been to plan, there was not a whole lot out of the ordinary about Harrison's childbirth experience. It was what happened next that's sparked debate online.
It all started when Harrison posted a series of slides to TikTok explaining how she didn't end up taking the "father carrying the car seat picture that everyone else got after they left hospital."
As the post goes on to explain, that was because her partner was so tired "he slept in the hospital bed" until she "drove herself home 6 hours after giving birth so he could sleep in the car."
The post sparked shocked reactions. One user called it a "huge red flag," while another asked: "is he 5?" with a third writing: "I showed this to my man and he said it can't be real."
Harrison was surprised at the reactions, insisting it was meant as a "light hearted" post and that it's something they both laugh about even today. "It's no big deal at all. I felt absolutely fine," she said. "I wouldn't change anything. It made sense for me to drive."
Harrison was keen to explain the circumstances that led to her driving back and the fact her boyfriend was there by her side every step of the way.
"When we got moved to the post delivery room, he was exhausted and I said to him to take a nap. He refused but was tired so he got into bed whilst I fed the baby," she said. "When it was time to go home, it was my car we had set up with a car seat and he hated driving it. Again, he was exhausted. So I just said 'you get in the back and I'll drive.'"
Harrison added that she would "do it again" if needed. "Everything we've done post baby we have done 50/50," she said. "We got up for night feeds together even when he was working ect. We just always look after each other so although I'd given birth, he was tired so why both be tired."
Harrison has been dismayed at some of the "very hateful" comments some women left on her video. "I don't see why they wouldn't support their partner in that situation," she said. She also noticed how some of the men commenting seemed to be treating it like "a competition of who did the most for their partner postpartum."
However, Harrison believes her video and the response to it highlights a lack of support for dads. "My partner wasn't offered a drink or food or anything. How is he meant to stay awake and look after me and a newborn and do it all safely?" she said.
"People should realize it's ok if others do things differently. Doesn't mean it's wrong!"
English (US) ·