3. KNOW WHEN TO CLOSE THE DOORS
No matter how big any club is, there will always be a limit to how many people will be let in at any given time. It’s the same with your wife’s delivery (and recovery) room. If you’re not sure if a particular person is on the list, remember that discretion is the better part of valor.
Always remember that giving birth is at once joyous, emotionally draining, and exhaustive for both parents. Be protective of your space. Your wife will need plenty of rest (as will you), so don’t overdo the socializing. Be polite, but firm, to any unwanted or ill-timed guests who come by before and after your baby’s delivery.
4. KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPEN, BUT REMEMBER THAT THE IMPORTANT STUFF IS GOING ON INSIDE.
It’s easy for any bouncer to get caught up with the lines of interesting people outside the club. But remember the action is going on inside, and your primary objective is to create the most comfortable environment possible for your wife. This can be a daunting task when you’re working with a sterile room filled with strangers, medical contraptions, and lousy blankets. Just don’t lose track of her needs by getting so caught up with the comings and goings of everyone else around you.
5. DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE VERBAL.
A good bouncer doesn’t have to yell but they shouldn’t be afraid to speak up — politely, kindly, and if necessary, firmly. This includes dealing not only with your guests, but with the medical staff as well. Make sure they are all aware of your wife’s wishes regarding her labor, any medications, birthing and baby care plans, along with any other preferences, concerns, or questions she may have. And don’t forget your own questions and concerns — this is your child, too — never be afraid to ask about anything.
Following these few simple steps have helped keep nightclubs running smoothly, and they can surely help you do the same.
At the end of the night, the bouncer at Club Hyde may have a few anecdotes or laughs, but when you work the door at Club Childbirth, you become part of a lifetime of memories where the guest who matters the most is the one who just “arrived.”
About The AuthorBlessed with two wonderful children, Alan continues to amaze himself at how much he has to learn about this master class called Parenthood. Originally from Boston, he settled down in Los Angeles in 1993 (just in time for the big earthquake).
Happy to be part of The Cradle, Alan also writes for the stage and screen where several of his plays and short films have been produced here in LA and NY. Most recently, Alan's short film, The Passion of the Couch, premiered at the Faux Film Festival in Portland, Oregon (reviewed on IMDB), and his children's book, The Great City on the Hill was seen on a PBS TV channel in western Massachusetts. For more information on these and other projects, go to alanaymie.com. Alan, his lovely wife Heather, and their children live in Beverly Hills, CA.
