It's true, labour and childbirth put us mummies to the test.
We feel the pain of the contractions, the pushing, being at the centre of attention of the obstetricians, in addition, of course, to experiencing the birth of the baby in a more absorbing way.
But let's try for a moment to abandon the clichés and let's think of our companions...
Yes, up to this point they only got the pleasant side of the birth of a child.
But let's try putting ourselves in their shoes.
For them, the experience of birth could be much more difficult than for us, especially from the emotional viewpoint.
The huge belly, a curse and a blessing of our nine months, also has the undeniable advantage of preparing us for the arrival of the little one, of giving us the awareness that a little being is really on his way.
The morning sickness first and the kicking now, and labour then accompany us through a process of growth that transforms women into mothers.
Our partners experience nothing of the sort.
And compared to us, they usually have a lesser inclination toward psychological introspection; they are almost reticent about facing their fears, in admitting them completely, even to themselves.
Seeing the attention totally focused on their partner triggers in them an ambiguous past experience made of fear for the unknown, jealousy, guilt and a feeling of impotence, which is surely non very pleasant.
And let's not forget the anxiety that, in many men, surfaces from the prospective of witnessing childbirth.
If for some it is exciting - there are even those who film the event on tape - there are many men who fear not being able to stand the sight of blood, the idea that the woman might suffer or a high emotional-impact atmosphere.
We should not forget the most strictly "visual" aspect.
For a man it is not an easy task to see his partner's body, which up to just a while before was a source of desire and sexual pleasure, transform into a generator of life through pain.
The fear of no longer being able to touch his companion like before could become a reality and, from there, comes the sensation that nothing will be the same; that everything may change.
Also, the anecdotic tales of friends who have "been there" often do nothing but make the situation worse.
It is important to involve our companion during the nine months, trying to make him experience his essential role of father, asking him to talk to the baby in the belly, caressing our abdomen when the baby kicks.
Invite him to come with you to the pre-birth classes, so he can become familiar with the hospital environment and see how other expecting couples experience this.
It doesn't take much to absorb him in this very important event.
And don't make him feel like an absent father if he decides not to be present for the actual birth: he can still become the best daddy in the world.