One of the fortunate byproducts of our child being breech was our introduction to a number of techniques designed to help the baby turn which have now entered our daily routine. One that has particularly stuck with me is something I lovingly refer to as “Daddy Radio.”
The technique is designed to lure the baby’s head towards the sound of daddy’s speaking voice low on the uterus. This turned into regularly scheduled broadcasts of “Daddy Radio.” Seeing this event must be quite funny as it involves my wife standing upright while I lean over and speak directly to the underside of her child protrusion in loud and loving words. I can’t even see my wife’s face from this position as her child has orbited and blocked the splendor of her shining face like an eclipse.
This has become such a habit for me that I’ve even started doing this in public. My wife, in a mixture of pride and embarrassment, stands and sees the varied reactions while I lovingly speak, sing to, or otherwise report information to our son. While the event itself is somewhat strange in a public context I’ve found that it is also a way to publicly present the excitement and joy fathers should have regarding the impending birth of their children.
This has also, oddly, become an important part of my day. My relationship with our son has strengthened a great deal because I am able to share important things with him. The breech position of our child necessitated an awkward speaking engagement which led to a personal relationship. I often feel some appendage pressing against where my mouth is speaking. I hope he’s not trying to shut me up! I imagine, instead, that he is interested in a physical connection with me that is obtainable only through the vibrations my voice produces. My son is reaching out to me and its exciting when a physical connection can also exist between us.
So, I’m wondering, what strange things do other fathers do as the birth of their children approaches? How do you connect with your children in the womb?