My husband, Owen, and I welcomed our baby boy into the world last week.

It was a long, grueling process, but I was determined to have a natural birth. Owen was by my side the entire time, holding my hand and offering support. However, as the labor intensified, so did my screams of pain. Each time I screamed, Owen leaned in close and whispered, “Can you stop screaming? You’re really embarrassing me.” His words cut through the fog of my pain, leaving me feeling both furious and hurt. He repeated his plea several times, each one stinging more than the last. After our son was finally born and we were both resting in the hospital room, I couldn’t shake the anger I felt toward Owen. I decided that once we got home, I would teach him a lesson about the sacrifices and pain women endure during childbirth. When we finally arrived home with our baby boy, I was still fuming. As we settled in, Owen’s behavior continued to baffle me. Instead of showing remorse or offering an apology, he seemed distant and preoccupied. I decided to confront him directly. “Owen, we need to talk,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath the surface. He looked up from where he was setting up the baby’s crib. “What is it?” “I can’t believe you had the nerve to tell me to stop screaming during labor. Do you have any idea how much pain I was in?” My voice cracked with emotion. Owen sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “It is a woman’s job to be strong and composed,” he said, his tone surprisingly calm. “I just wanted you to be strong for our son.” His words left me stunned. “A woman’s job?” I repeated, incredulous. “Do you even hear yourself, Owen? Do you have any idea what childbirth is like?”