History Main / DeliveryGuy

* Happened in ''MalcolmInTheMiddle'', with Francis being forced to help deliver ''his own mom's'' baby, at one point being told "stick your hands inside of Mommy!"
** Afterwards, she tells him how it was the best thing he's ever done for her - and that he can go vomit now.
* On ''{{Taxi}}'', Alex Reiger is forced by circumstance to deliver a baby in the back seat of his cab (The father/coach couldn't handle it). The parents wanted to name the baby after him... until he told them his name.
* The classic subversion, even though the birth doesn't actually happen on screen, is from ''ILoveLucy''. Ricky and the neighbors are practicing what they'll do when the baby is about to be born: calling the doctor, grabbing Lucy's luggage, helping her on with her coat and heading out to the car, all with perfect calm and grace. Then Lucy waddles into the room and says, for real, "Ricky, this is it!" HilarityEnsues as Ricky and the neighbors run around like chickens with their heads cut off, and Lucy, looking uncomfortable but still keeping a cool head, has to remind them of what has to be done.
** To top it all off, they initially ''leave Lucy behind''.
* ''HomeImprovement'': Tim, Jill, and mom-to-be [[MsFanservice Heidi]] got stuck at a pit stop when labor hit. Jill and Tim coached her through it, and Tim gave up his soft and warm jacket for the baby.

* Played with in ''Series/{{Frasier}}'', when Daphne enters labour in a vet's surgery. The vet himself is next to useless, Niles' attempts to keep her calm by coaching her through her breathing exercises only result in him passing out as a result of a fit of hyperventilation, and it falls upon a woman in the waiting room who happens to be a doctor to take charge of everything.
** In another episode, Niles, Frasier, and Martin get a cab. The female cabdriver asks if they've heard any of the "giving birth in a cab" stories that have been spoken of as folklore amongst people. After the three men respond, the driver, in an inversion of the typical stories (where the passenger is pregnant and the driver must deliver the child as she goes into labor), explains that it is going to happen right now and goes into labor herself. The three men do their best to help her, with varying degrees of competence (Frasier tries but is ultimately useless, Niles is completely incompetent, [[CrowningMomentOfFunny asking why the meter is still running at one point]], and Martin, having been a father himself and a retired police officer who has had to deliver babies a couple times, doing the best job of the three). Both mother and child make it to the hospital safely. Niles considers fatherhood after the event, spending the rest of the episode trying to raise a sack of flour as his son, directly or indirectly inflicting enough harm on the "child" to kill or seriously injure him at least twice (including but not limited to impaling with a sharp instrument and third degree burns). By the episode's end, Niles decides that fatherhood isn't for him at this time, though after what happened to the sack child many viewers would probably be inclined to suggest a vasectomy instead.

* Inverted on Series/{{The X-Files}}, where it is a fellow female agent, Monica Reyes, who must help deliver Scully's baby while hiding from those who want to kidnap the child.
** Also inverted when Scully (who is a doctor, but not an obstetrician) helps a woman give birth while they were trapped during a flood.
* ''{{Primeval}}'' season 3 episode 3, where the B plot is that Abby has to deliver a baby when locked in a room with Nick and a pregnant woman.
* In one episode of ''LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'', a pregnant woman who has been kidnapped by her ex-husband has been found by Elliott. She is scheduled for a C-section because the placenta formed over her cervix (meaning the baby would otherwise burst through it a la ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' and cause her to bleed to death). Elliott calls an ambulance, but the baby is coming too quickly. He delivers the baby (using knowledge gained from being present at the births of each of his own children), but [[DeathByChildbirth the mother does not survive.]]
** Inverted with Kathy Stabler who is given emotional support by her husband's partner Olivia Benson while on the way to the hospital.

* Played with in ''FallingSkies''. When Sarah gives birth, Anne, who despite being a pediatrician is the only doctor they have, is set to deliver with Margaret there for emotional support. When it becomes apparent that the baby will be born breach, Anne admits to Captain Weaver she does not know what to do. He reveals that he helped deliver his babies ''both'' of whom were born breach, and takes over.

* PlayedForLaughs at DCNation when Sue Dibny went into labor. Ralph was busy with a rogue, Mid-Nite was stuck in surgery, so little Allanah Dibny was delivered by Eel "Plastic Man" O'Brien, Hal Jordan, Martian Manhunter, and Wally West!

* John Ford's ''TheThreeGodfathers'' has three main male characters, so only one has to go in and help with the birth, which takes place offscreen (though the man [[GoneWithTheWind still knows nothin' about birthin' no babies.]]) Miraculously, the baby is ''still'' named after John Wayne's character. (Well, named after all three of them, but Wayne gets the first name.)

If you thought this was about some other type of delivery guy, you should look up the guy who visited nine months prior under PizzaBoySpecialDelivery.

This is the one where a woman is giving birth, and a man must coach her through the process. It may be played for laughs as the man pulls horrified faces at the sight of what's happening between the woman's legs, or it might be emotionally-charged melodrama.

* Theo does this for Ki in ''Children of Men'', in a rundown building in the middle of a battle-torn refugee camp. She names the baby after his [[DeadGuyJunior son]].

* Pauline plays Borovnian Emperor Charles doing this for Empress Deborah (Juliet) for the birth of Diello in ''HeavenlyCreatures''. Juliet enacts contractions and proper breathing pretty convincingly in a semi-ScreamingBirth. Charles is pretty inept, telling his wife to push ''between'' contractions.

* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "Disaster": When the aforementioned disaster left groups of people trapped in different areas of the ship, it fell to Worf of all people to assist in the delivery of Keiko O'Brien's daughter. It helped cement Worf's character as [[TheComicallySerious lacking]] [[NoSocialSkills in interpersonal skills]] after he yells "Push!" for the umpteenth time, Keiko snaps back with "I ''AM'' pushing!" and his line "You may now give birth." This gets a CallBack in ''[[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Deep Space Nine]]'': when Worf is told that Keiko is having another baby, his immediate reaction is a panicked "Now!?"

Whoever he is, he's treated as a hero for having done this (even though all he did was hold her hand and tell her to push, and maybe "catch" the baby as it's born), and tends to be given more attention than even the mother. If he's not the father, he might be given impromptu "father figure" status (especially if there's no actual father to feel threatened about this), and be the first to proudly hold the baby while standing at the beaming mother's bedside. The baby might even be named after him.

* In one episode of ''LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'', a pregnant woman who has been kidnapped by her ex-husband has been found by Elliott. She is scheduled for a C-section because the placenta formed over her cervix (meaning the baby would otherwise burst through it a la {{Alien}} and cause her to bleed to death). Elliott calls an ambulance, but the baby is coming too quickly. He delivers the baby (using knowledge gained from being present at the births of each of his own children), but [[DeathByChildbirth the mother does not survive.]]

** In another episode, Niles, Frasier, and Martin get a cab. The female cabdriver asks if they've heard any of the "giving birth in a cab" stories that have been spoken of as folklore amongst people. After the three men respond, the driver, in an inversion of the typical stories (where the passenger is pregnant and the driver must deliver the child as she goes into labor), explains that it is going to happen right now and goes into labor herself. The three men do thier best to help her, with varying degrees of competence (Frasier tries but is ultamately useless, Niles is completely incompetent, [[CrowningMomentOfFunny asking why the meter is still running at one point]], and Martin, having been a father himself and a retired police officer who has had to deliver babies a couple times, doing the best job of the three). Both mother and child make it to the hospital safely. Niles considers fatherhood after the event, spending the rest of the episode trying to raise a sack of flour as his son, directly or indirectly inflicting enough harm on the "child" to kill or seriously injure him at least twice (including but not limited to impaling with a sharp instrument and third degree burns). By the episode's end, Niles decides that fatherhood isn't for him at this time, though after what happened to the sack child many viewers would probably be inclined to suggest a vasectomy instead.

* Played with in FallingSkies. When Sarah gives birth Anne, who despite being a pediatrician is the only doctor they have, is set to deliver with Margaret there for emotional support. When it becomes apparent that the baby will be born breach, Anne admits to Captain Weaver she does not know what to do. He reveals that he helped deliver his babies ''both'' of whom were born breach, and takes over.

** On ''Series/{{JAG}}'', Admiral Chegwidden did this twice in his office.

* ''Get Medieval'': Asher is forced to deliver Eleanor's baby. Neithe is present as well, but she panics and ends up being delegated to hand-holding duty.

* Used several times in ''Series/{{Stargate SG-1}}'', always with the character of Daniel Jackson. He played Delivery Guy to [[spoiler: his missing wife, who he'd just found heavily pregnant with Apophis' child - making him deliver the Big Bad's kid and heir]], as well as to a woman giving birth alone in a temple. Seems he's either got his hands up there or... [[ChickMagnet something else]].

-->''5. Gaze at area that you normally try to get to as often as possible but now, for some reason, can't wait to get away from.''
-->-{{Uncyclopedia}}, ''[[http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/HowTo:Deliver_a_Baby,_A_Concise_and_Easy-to-follow_Guide_Developed,_Tested,_and_Approved_by_the_AMA_(No,_Not_that_AMA._The_Other_One)_and_Reprinted_with_the_Permission_of_the_JAMA_(Also_a_Different_One) HowTo:Deliver a Baby, A Concise and Easy-to-follow Guide Developed, Tested, and Approved by the AMA (No, Not that AMA. The Other One) and Reprinted with the Permission of the JAMA (Also a Different One)]]''

Can be subverted by having the man {{panic|kyExpectantFather}} or even pass out while the woman just gets down to business.

* In ''BarefootGen'', the titular character's mother is pregnant at the start of the film, and the family is anxiously awaiting the birth of the child. Then Little Boy drops, and after a [[spoiler: failed]] attempt at rescuing her husband, her daughter, and her other son from their burning house, the stress causes Kimiko to go into premature labor. Six-year-old Gen tries to find a medical professional, but all the doctors and nurses are too busy attempting to treat the burned bomb victims. Thus Gen is forced to deliver the baby himself.

* PlayedForLaughs at DCNation when Sue Dibny went into labor. Ralph was busy with a rogue, Mid-Nite was stuck in surgery, so little Allanah Dibny was delivered by Eel "Plastic Man" O'Brien, Hal Jordan, Martian Manhunter, and Wally West!

[[AC:Film]]

* John Ford's ''TheThreeGodfathers'' has three main male characters, so only one has to go in and help with the birth, which takes place offscreen (though the man [[GoneWithTheWind still knows nothin' about birthin' no babies.]]) Miraculously, the baby is ''still'' named after John Wayne's character. (Well, named after all three of them, but Wayne gets the first name.)

[[AC:Literature]]

* In ''[[VorkosiganSaga Barrayar]]'' by {{Lois McMaster Bujold}} Sergeant Bothari acts as midwife to Lady Alys Vorpatril for the birth of Ivan.

[[AC:Live Action TV]]

* Superman's done this loads of times, including once in ''LoisAndClark'', when the father says afterwards, "I've just thought of the perfect name." There was also a story in the comics where he saved a guy from suicide, left him with the expectant mother while he rescued someone else, and came back to ask the guy if he still thought he'd never achieved anything in his life.
* ''Series/{{Community}}'' - Happens to Abed without anyone noticing in a series of [[FunnyBackGroundEvent Funny Background Events]] in season three episode two. When Shirley asks what he's been up to all day, he replies "Nothing much." When Shirley is giving birth, Abed tries to put his experience to use (with more lampshade hanging on how no-one knew what happened) but it eventually falls to Britta.

--> '''Abed:''' Well, don't tell any doctors I said this, but at this point in time the bus pretty much drives itself.

** Afterwards, she tells him how it was the best thing he's ever done for her - and that he can go vomit now.
* On ''{{Taxi}}'', Alex Reiger is forced by circumstance to deliver a baby in the back seat of his cab (The father/coach couldn't handle it). The parents wanted to name the baby after him... until he told them his name.

* Inverted on Series/{{The X-Files}}, where it is a fellow female agent, Monica Reyes, who must help deliver Scully's baby while hiding from those who want to kidnap the child.

* In one episode of ''LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'', a pregnant woman who has been kidnapped by her ex-husband has been found by Elliott. She is scheduled for a C-section because the placenta formed over her cervix (meaning the baby would otherwise burst through it a la {{Alien}} and cause her to bleed to death). Elliott calls an ambulance, but the baby is coming too quickly. He delivers the baby (using knowledge gained from being present at the births of each of his own children), but [[DeathByChildbirth the mother does not survive.]]
** Inverted with Kathy Stabler who is given emotional support by her husband's partner Olivia Benson while on the way to the hospital.
* ''KyleXY'' has an episode where Kyle must help a stranger give birth on the side of the road. It had to be him even though there were others with him because he's so smart that everything comes to him naturally.

[[AC:Webcomics]]

* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "Disaster": When the aforementioned disaster left groups of people trapped in different areas of the ship, it fell to Worf of all people to assist in the delivery of Keiko O'Brien's daughter. It helped cement Worf's character as [[TheComicallySerious lacking]] [[NoSocialSkills in interpersonal skills]] after he yells "Push!" for the umpteenth time, Keiko snaps back with "I ''AM'' pushing!" and his line "You may now give birth." This gets a CallBack in ''DeepSpaceNine'': when Worf is told that Keiko is having another baby, his immediate reaction is a panicked "Now!?"

* In {{Fanfic/ThroughADiamondSky}}, the heroes are making their escape from the Resource Hog base on a stolen Recognizer when the Iso scout Kanna goes into labor. As everyone else is occupied, Flynn gets the short straw.

** [[SesameStreet Ah! Hah! Hah! Hah!]]

* In ''IceAge Dawn of the Dinosaurs'', Diego has to coach Ellie through her delivery... ''while'' fighting away hungry raptors.

* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "Disaster": When the aforementioned disaster left groups of people trapped in different areas of the ship, it fell to Worf of all people to assist in the delivery of Keiko O'Brien's daughter. It helped cement Worf's character as lacking in interpersonal skills after he yells "Push!" for the umpteenth time, Keiko snaps back with "I ''AM'' pushing!" and his line "You may now give birth." This gets a CallBack in ''DeepSpaceNine'': when Worf is told that Keiko is having another baby, his immediate reaction is a panicked "Now!?"

* Abed got to be one of these on an episode of ''Series/{{Community}}''.

* In the classic ''StarTrek'' episode "Friday's Child," Kirk and [=McCoy=] protect a woman who is pregnant with the heir to the leadership of her people. She gives birth in a cave while hiding from their enemies, and [=McCoy=] assists (he's a doctor, so this takes place off camera). At the [[OhCisco end of the episode]], Bones announces that the baby was named Leonard James Ak'aar, after both of his mother's protectors.

* Abed got to be one of these on an episode of ''{{Community}}''.

* ''StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "Disaster": When the aforementioned disaster left groups of people trapped in different areas of the ship, it fell to Worf of all people to assist in the delivery of Keiko O'Brien's daughter. It helped cement Worf's character as lacking in interpersonal skills after he yells "Push!" for the umpteenth time, Keiko snaps back with "I ''AM'' pushing!" and his line "You may now give birth." This gets a CallBack in ''DeepSpaceNine'': when Worf is told that Keiko is having another baby, his immediate reaction is a panicked "Now!?"

* When Bailey on ''GreysAnatomy'' had her son she pretty much gave up when it came time to push, since her husband was in surgery at the same time. She ended up being talked to her senses by George, who then proceeded to coach her through the delivery. She gave her son the middle name George.
* Played with in ''{{Frasier}}'', when Daphne enters labour in a vet's surgery. The vet himself is next to useless, Niles' attempts to keep her calm by coaching her through her breathing exercises only result in him passing out as a result of a fit of hyperventilation, and it falls upon a woman in the waiting room who happens to be a doctor to take charge of everything.

* Used several times in ''{{Stargate SG-1}}'', always with the character of Daniel Jackson. He played Delivery Guy to [[spoiler: his missing wife, who he'd just found heavily pregnant with Apophis' child - making him deliver the Big Bad's kid and heir]], as well as to a woman giving birth alone in a temple. Seems he's either got his hands up there or... [[ChickMagnet something else]].
* Teyla of ''StargateAtlantis'' didn't need much support despite giving birth while stuck on the enemy's ship, but a very reluctant [=McKay=] does overcome his nerves to 'catch' the baby. She still names him after someone else.
* On ''{{Lost}}'', Claire went into labour in the middle of jungle. Technically it's Kate who eventually delivers the baby, but more or less panicked Jin and Charlie provide support.
* Inverted on {{The X-Files}}, where it is a fellow female agent, Monica Reyes, who must help deliver Scully's baby while hiding from those who want to kidnap the child.

* The usually incredibly calm, cool, and collected [[{{Farscape}} Aeryn Sun]] needs John's coaching to get through her delivery as she really doesn't seem convinced she can do it. They were in the middle of a battle and getting shot at at the time so a little panic seems pretty warranted.
* The ''{{NCIS}}'' ChristmasEpisode "Newborn King" has Gibbs having to deliver an army lieutenant's baby which is the focus of a conflict between the Department of Defense and a tribe of Afghan natives over land rights and inheritance.

** Inverted with Cathy Stabler who is given emotional support by her husband's partner Olivia Benson while on the way to the hospital.