 | Bob Gabordi is executive editor of the Tallahassee Democrat and Tallahassee.com. He can be reached through this blog, at bgabordi@tallahassee.com or (850) 599-2177 |
When my first child was born more than 28 years ago, I had to fight to get into the delivery room. It was little more than a sterile operating room with a narrow, uncomfortable operating table with a think mattress.
The doctor was unhappy with me being there and made it clear I was to stand near my wife’s head and not bother him.
By the time our last baby was born 15 years ago, the world had changed. Not only was I now allowed into the bedroom-like delivery room, it was expected that I would be there and had duties assigned to me during the entire process.
Now more than ever, we are learning that dads play an important role in ensuring the healthy birth of a child. Statistics show that one of the best indicators of a healthy infant is the involvement of the dad in the entire pregnancy and delivery, making sure there are two parental names on the birth certificate.
So go ahead and look at these photographs and chuckle. I’m OK with being laughed at. They are quite funny.
Speaking for the whole bunch of us guys who are playing “pregnant” dads in the March of Dimes’ Men in Labor program, if we can help one young man think about what a vital role he can play in his child’s birth and life, it is worth the public laughter.
Men dressing up with pillows under their gowns are funny; men not helping their ladies stay healthy and produce a healthy child is serious business.
Twelve of us agreed to dress up and raise $1,000 for the March of Dimes. I hate asking people for money. I hate watching babies die even more. So I’ll tell you more about how you can help with this program in another column. Meanwhile, write a check to the March of Dimes if you want to help.
Almost two years ago, the Tallahassee Democrat began a series of stories, commentaries and public forums to bring attention to high rates of infant mortality in our region, especially black infant mortality. Our reports showed that as state and national rates were in decline, local rates were not. Our coverage was picked up by medical Web sites, such as Medical News Today.
At the time, for example, Leon County's infant-mortality rate among blacks was 15.8 deaths per 1,000 births, while the rate was 4.5 deaths among whites.
Our reports showed premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, sudden infant death syndrome and child abuse were among the factors causing infants to die before their first birthdays.
Important efforts are under way at Florida A&M University and in community organizations throughout the region.
During community-group discussions, the importance of fathers in ensuring healthy outcomes was underscored time and time again. It just makes sense that fathers can help mothers make healthy choices, such as regular doctor care and taking folic acid, something all women of childbearing years should do.
So, yeah, I look and feel foolish with the pillow and the gown. I can handle the humiliation for three weeks if it helps even one little baby’s daddy make a good and healthy decision. When we launched this effort, I wrote a blog saying our commitment was to help keep babies alive.
When you are finished giggling, help make that come true.
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