How I Became a Dad

SOS in the delivery room 

Foetal distress. I hope you never hear those two words. After a rather idyllic pregnancy, Aliénior had to undergo an emergency caesarean. To save her life and that of our baby. All of a sudden, a whole team arrived in the delivery room, like bees in a hive. I was shown the door: "You can't stay here, sir." The gynaecologist didn't want the dad present in such cases. I found myself alone with my thoughts. On the other side of the wall, it was war. I was useless and powerless. Today, I could lose everything. My wife and my baby. The panic, the fear. And then all of a sudden, a cry. An immense relief. Léon was alive and everything would be fine. That was my turning point.

Thomas, dad of Léon

Love before first sight

It all started on a Saturday in May. We were lying in bed with Agathe, my partner. The window was open, the wind was playing with the curtains, the sun was tickling our noses. In that moment, I knew she would be the mother of my children. I was ready. Agathe was scared. Not me. She's a wonderful aunt to her nieces, so with her own baby? She would be amazing. For my part, I had always dreamed of being a dad. People talk about men who run from fatherhood, but I grew up as an only child. I wanted to build my team, my crew, to have noise in the house all the time, to build forts under the table, to spend my Saturdays shuttling between football club and the youngest one's dance class… For months, we tried. With every cycle, disappointment. After a year, we sought advice. The verdict came: we would need to consider IVF to make our wish come true. The IVF was hard, especially for Agathe. Women endure so much. I gave her her injections, held her hand. An easy job. I dreamed of our baby. I already loved them so much. They weren't here yet and I was already so eager. So when the test came back positive, what joy! The first ultrasound was magical. And when we heard the heartbeat! I shed a tear. And then the birth… Gabriel arrived and my heart filled with an infinite love. Just like in the movies. I'm in awe at the slightest babble. I could watch him for hours, this child I had dreamed of for so long!

Benoît, dad of Gabriel

The love puzzle

I'm already Marcel's dad. Despite all the love I feel for my son, something — or rather someone — was missing… Another baby. In our situation, having a child with my husband is quite the journey. I don't want to go into how this second miracle entered our lives. But I can tell you about that feeling of wholeness. The one I feel with Apolline. For the first time ever, I feel… complete. Not like a carton of skimmed milk, but like a milkshake that was missing its cherry, the finishing touch! Meeting Apolline… she put everything into place. The puzzle is complete. With my husband, Marcel and Apolline, I can move mountains.

Lionel, dad of Marcel and Apolline

Laughing baby, smitten dad

My turning point? One evening, I found myself alone with Adam. His mum was enjoying her first night out with friends, the first in 6 months! I had already done the evening routine before, but this time it was different. I don't know… It was just him and me in the bathroom. It was time for the nappy change before bedtime. He grabbed my finger, I tickled him and then… he laughed. He burst out laughing looking at me! All of a sudden, I discovered I had a superpower. I can make my son laugh. And in my head, it was the phrase "my son" that echoed. My son. So, there you have it. My name is Alexandre and I am the dad of the coolest little boy.

Alexandre, Adam's dad

Little by little, love builds its nest

Rose's mum and I were never really together. Let's just say that from our fleeting nights was born the most beautiful of flowers, Rose. When Marine told me the news and that she intended to keep the baby, I was lost and angry. Her pregnancy was a period of fog for me. I was still processing the news. To flee or not to flee, that was my question for 9 months. I'm ashamed to admit it. Then the birth arrived. Raw and concrete. A tiny little thing was placed in my arms. A thing I was supposed to love at first sight. I quickly handed her to the midwife. I watched her from a distance. On the last day at the maternity ward, a childcare nurse said "Now it's Dad who changes the nappy." Marine went quiet. Even Rose stopped crying. I held my breath. The nurse showed me the steps. I found myself face to face with Rose, this tiny little thing. This tiny little thing… who was also the most beautiful thing in the world. My daughter. I knew our love would be built little by little, but in that precise moment, I had become her dad.

François, Rose's dad