This thread is pretty sad. I've served with a lot of great COs and Commanders, and none of them would need 8 pages of babble to wrestle with these situations. As a leader, look at policy and use common sense and discretion to make the best decision possible on a case by case basis. Consider mission, then your men and women, then yourself.
Female soldier is pregnant and wants doesn't want to take a financial hit with MATA leave to have baby. Send her to the doc to get the required medical leave to have her baby. Throw her some short leave if you want, because you can.
Male soldier's wife has a cesarean and can't look after the other kids for a week or so while she is recovering. Give him some compassionate leave.
I recommended to my CO (and was supported) in sending a soldier home a week early from Afghanistan to see his first child born. If she was due half-way through the tour, he would have enjoyed the pictures and emails.
Each case has its own circumstances and context. CO's get paid the big bucks to weigh them and make the best decision.