What exactly is dad’s role in the delivery room?

As a dad, your role in your partner's pregnancy can be as big or as small as the two of your want it to be. You can attend every Lamaze class and read every baby book, or you can let your partner revel in her womanhood with her female friends during her pregnancy. Either way, when it comes time for the delivery, dad has some very special responsibilities – and we're not just talking about holding the video camera.

You don't have to twiddle your thumbs in the waiting room while your wife's in labor these days – modern dads are far more involved in deliveries than they were in decades past. Watching your child enter the world is a magical moment for both men and women, and this is a time when your support can make all the difference in the world to your partner.

If you're uncomfortable with the thought of actually watching your child's birth, you can stand by your partner's head while she labors. This way, the two of you are seeing the same view and experiencing the delivery from the same angle – and she'll appreciate your closeness when contractions strike.

But most importantly, by being in the delivery room you'll have the opportunity to do everything you can to keep your partner happy and comfortable during this time. From feeding her ice chips to reading her favorite book, try to be there to accommodate your partner's wishes. In the end, the experience will bring you closer together as it expands your family.