How Did You Feel When You Saw Your First Child as a Father?

My daughter was born by emergency cesarean due to fetal distress after 17 hours of labor. It was an emergency cesarean, not a planned delivery, and I wasn't allowed in the operating theatre. However, I got to see her born due to the quick thinking of a student midwife who took me to the theatre as the doctor was pulling her out of the mother. Ten minutes later, the doctor and her mother were back in the delivery suite, and her mother was still out cold from being sedated during the birth. My daughter was screaming the room down, so I picked her up and tried to console her. Despite being a first-time dad, I wasn't new to newborn babies being the oldest of five. All my younger cousins were always crying, and I had to help with them.

As I held her in my arms, two things happened to me. The first was the most powerful rush of love for anyone or anything I had ever felt in my life. The second came in two parts. The first was absolute panic as I realized the responsibility I now had for the next 18 years at the very least, and the realisation that everything I did in my life from that moment on had a purpose—a reason. She was the reason I was living.

I became a single parent dad to her when my marriage to her mother broke up at the age of 10. Her mother didn't want custody of her for various reasons. It's a long story. Now, she's 31, and still, she's the most important person in my life.

The Feeling of a First-Time Father

My first child was born just a little over 14 years ago. I'll never forget that day. Until the day of my passing, that feeling is forever etched in my memory. The feeling I felt was one of having my breath taken away that God had blessed me and entrusted me with the responsibility of raising this beautiful little girl. The first time I held her, it was honestly a very surreal feeling. This little baby that my wife carried for nine months, this little baby whom we talked about, prepared for, prayed over, and yes, even panicked a bit about, was now in my arms. She was mine to help raise, she was mine to cry with, laugh with, worry about, disagree with at times, and be there for until my last breath. What an honor. What a blessing. What a gift.

Later that night, I had to run home from the hospital to get something for my wife. I remember sitting at a red light, staring up at the night sky, and my mind drifting off. All I could think about was how much my life had changed forever for the best. As a first-time father, the awesome responsibility is what truly defines this journey.

Key Takeaways for First-Time Dads

For a first-time dad, the emotions and responsibilities that come with welcoming a new human into the world can be overwhelming. Here are some key takeaways for other first-time fathers:

Embrace the Love: The love for your child will be the most intense emotion you will ever experience. It's a feeling like none other, a love that is unconditional and immense. Understand the Responsibility: Being a father means understanding the responsibility that comes with raising a child. It involves making sacrifices, being patient, and being a constant source of support. Appreciate the Gift: Each new month of your child's life brings new experiences and challenges. Embrace each moment and appreciate the gift of parenthood.

Conclusion

The experience of becoming a first-time father is more than just a journey of emotions and responsibilities; it's a lifelong commitment that shapes both the father and the child. Whether it's the overwhelming love, the deep responsibility, or the priceless gift of parenthood, every moment counts. For many, the feeling of seeing their first child for the first time as a father is a life-changing moment that they will always cherish.