Husband Being Present During Delivery

I am told that a husband should not be present when his wife gives birth. Is this true?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

Indeed, there is much discussion in halachic literature as to whether a man is permitted to participate, or even be present, when his wife gives birth.

One reason for this is that a woman is generally “Nidda” when giving birth. There is no mention in Shulchan Aruch regarding the onset of nidda status during childbirth, the Shulchan Aruch merely states that a yoledet, a woman who has given birth, is a nidda. However Harav Fried Shelita says the Nidda status begins when a woman is dilated 6 centimeters, when she sees blood, when she sees water mixed with blood, or when she has very strong contractions, thereby rendering any physical contact between her and her husband forbidden. 

Rav Fried rules  that a husband may be present at his wife's delivery as long as he does not look at the parts of her body that are normally covered for reasons of modesty.

SOURCES: YD 194:1–2 and commentaries, OC 330:3 and commentaries.