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Advice for dads from other dads:

1) When they're doing the epidural, get out of the room. Even the most strong-stomached advised skipping out on seeing the ginormous needle getting injected into mom's back.

2) Don't get too visually involved in the C-Section proceedings. Should you pass out from the sight of your partner's organs piled on her body, not only will you embarrass yourself, but you'll probably be left to fend for yourself on the floor while the doctors attend to the "real" patients. There's even a case of a dad who died from hitting his head on the tile after his fall. That would be bad.

3) You could cut the umbilical chord, but you don't have to. Most people I spoke to opted to skip this rite of passage as well.

4) Go with the baby for it's first bath, and bring a camera. Apparently the sight of your infant getting doused with water is one to cherish, and capture for the scrap book.

5) The cot is the single most uncomfortable contraption ever created. You will be miserable sleeping on it. Many dads either voluntarily left or were forcibly dismissed by their partners after the first night. There are nurses to disturb mom all through the night, so it's not like you're leaving her alone.

6) Plan to not have a plan. Each situation is different, and you won't know how you're going to react until you're in it. At which point all of your best-laid plans might be moot anyway.

7) Having your family there will be a blessing. And then a nightmare.

8) Enjoy it. It goes by quick.

Image by Robyn Gallagher