Written by Jenny Catton
60 years ago it was almost unheard of for a father to be present at the birth of his child. Today the opposite is true and fathers are expected to play an active and supportive role during labour. But just because it’s become the norm – should fathers to be present at the birth of their children?
Yes – Naomi
I think it’s ridiculous to suggest that fathers shouldn’t be involved in the labour and birth of their children. After all they played an active part in conception so they should be there to support their partner through everything that follows.
A father can be a great support – both physically and emotionally to a woman who is in labour. He can ensure she stays calm, provide massage to help ease discomfort and just be there to provide emotional support. Midwives are often too busy to give all the support that a woman needs during labour and so the father of the child should be available to provide all the help he can. And although a woman could take her mother, sister or friend into the labour ward, usually it is her partner who she loves and trusts the most and wants him to be with her.
Being at the birth is also a great way for a father to bond with his new baby. Seeing a child come into the world is one of the greatest experiences in life and not something that fathers should miss out on. By taking an active part in the birth, fathers will find the bonding process much easier than if they are waiting outside. And in future years, they will be able to tell their son or daughter about the magical moment when they saw them being born.
No – David
It has become accepted that a man will be by his partner’s side as she gives birth but there really is no good reason for him to be there. Men simply aren’t experts at giving birth and can’t provide the support that a woman needs during labour. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the presence of a man in the delivery suite could actually be harmful to a woman giving birth. If he’s stressed and anxious, his behaviour will be picked up by the woman who will in turn become stressed, making the birthing process more difficult.
It’s natural for a man to want the best for his partner so it can be distressing to watch her going through labour. He may therefore suggest medication or intervention that the woman doesn’t necessarily need just because he thinks it will help. This can interfere with the natural process of birth and slow things down considerably. A man’s natural instinct is to try and help when quite often all a labouring woman needs is to be left alone in peace to get on with things.
I think it’s far better for a woman to be supported through birth by another woman – someone who has gone through it herself and knows the right type of support to give. This is much better than a man, who hasn’t really got a clue, trying to do his best but ultimately making things more difficult for everyone.
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