My husband was there for the birth of our first daughter and there for the recent birth of our twin boys. I couldn't have done it without him, and like one of the answers says - there wasn't ever really a question of him not being there. For both births he was really strong and supportive, and absolutely stayed up the head end and not the business end !!! I think every father should be there for the birth of their children if they can, I think it is something they will regret if they don't, and I defy any man not to cry when they see their child born !