'Went to Get Food': Five 'Crazy Reasons' Why Dads Missed Their Kids' Births

A video listing five "crazy reasons" why some dads missed the births of their children has gone viral, and commenters aren't impressed.

The video, posted to TikTok by labor and delivery nurse Anna (@anna.the.nurse), has garnered more than 956,000 views and over 2,000 comments from viewers who said most, if not all of the reasons, were cause for divorce.

According to a 2019 study conducted by the parenting site ChannelMum.com, one in five fathers have missed the birth of their child, The Independent reported.

How Do You Miss the Birth of Your Child?

Traffic delays, work commitments and the father being out of the country were common "excuses" among respondents, as was being hospitalized for an injury or illness.

Further, 12 percent of those who reported being absent for the birth of their child said they hadn't received a call that labor had started, and 10 percent said they weren't wanted in the delivery room at all.

However, some fathers' reasons for being absent were a bit more "outrageous." Roughly 100 fathers said there was an "unmissable" game on TV, while others reported going "to the pub" instead.

Last month, a mother took to Reddit to share her fear that her husband would miss the birth of their first child for a World of Warcraft raid. In April, a man was criticized for setting up his gaming console at the hospital while his wife was being induced. And in December, a woman received support for introducing her newborn child to her mother before her husband because he wasn't present for the birth.

Anna's list of reasons was pretty "absurd" as well. Her list included:

He Left to Grab Food

"I had a patient and I thought she was going to go fast and I told [the father] I had [this] feeling, but he insisted he did not like hospital food and went get fast food," Anna recalled. "[He] missed the birth of his child."

His Phone Was on Silent

"His wife was gracious enough to let him stay home while she labored a little bit, but he wanted to get a good nap in so he put his phone on silent," Anna shared.

He Left to Attend a Fantasy Football Draft

"He went to a fantasy football draft," Anna said. "Yes, he left her during labor and he said he'd be really quick, so he went [and] missed the birth of his child."

He Had to Feed the Cat

Anna's only comment about this father was: "It was an outdoor cat."

He Left to Talk to an Ex-Girlfriend

Anna said this father left the delivery room to talk to his ex, who was sitting in the parking lot.

"I don't know what the conversation [was] they were having, but we tried to call him,[and] he was not answering," she concluded.

Viewers React

Many commenters were disappointed by Anna's list and said the reasons were all cause for divorce.

"All of these are cause for divorce, and I don't say that lightly. Your wife and child should be a priority," Jacqueline Reeder said.

"Idk if I would be able to forgive any of these but LEAVING TO TALK TO THE EX?!" Claudia exclaimed.

"He would NOT come back up to my room," Cristina Rico wrote.

Sarah added: "If my husband doesn't witness the pain of labor with awe and adoration, it's on sight."

Newsweek has reached out to Anna for comment.

Is It Important for a Father to Witness His Child's Birth?

According to Science Direct based on data they collected from research between 2000-2014, there is evidence of a link between the father who is involved in the pregnancy and birth process and a stronger bond with the "new" family.

In fact, they say, an involved father's presence in the "birthing room [makes] him feel that he is playing an active part in the process encourages him to develop closer and more intimate links leading to a consolidation of the family unit...in addition to being
able to share the experience of the birth with the mother and contribute to her well-being."

It's not solely for the father's benefit, either.

The World Health Organization says, "Again and again, research shows that women greatly value and benefit from the presence of someone they trust during labour and childbirth...The benefits of labour companionship can also include shorter length of time in labour, decreased caesearean section and more positive health indicators for babies in the first five minutes after birth."