Father birth debate heats up

Thursday November 26th, 2009

Midwives are set to hear claims today that fathers can aggravate problems of childbirth by insisting on being present.

Obstetrician Michel Odent will argue that birth is easier when women are not surrounded by anxious observers.

He will gain some backing from a Welsh midwife, Grace Thomas, who says men may undergo unexpected emotional turmoil during birth.

But midwives' leader Cathy Warwick has rejected the idea that fathers should be discouraged from attending labour. The issue is to be debated at the RCM conference in Manchester today.

Professor Warwick, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "We support a mother's right to choose her birth partner during labour. There is no evidence base or research, of which we are aware, to suggest that a father's presence impedes and interferes with the mother's birth.

"We will welcome a healthy discussion of these issues during the debate at the conference."

Dr Odent says having a partner present can make longer, more painful and more complicated if the mother senses her partner's anxiety.

He said: "Having been involved for more than 50 years in childbirths in homes and hospitals in France, England and Africa, the best environment I know for an easy birth is when there is nobody around the woman in labour apart from a silent, low-profile and experienced midwife."

Ms Thomas, a consultant midwife with the Aneurin Bevan Health Board in Wales, called for a better understanding of the psychology of fathers and of the family unit.

She said: "Perhaps the midwifery profession has contributed to encouraging men to attend their child's birth without understanding the impact of the birth both on them and on the mother.

"It's important that we understand the psychology of the family unit and how to best help and prepare the father to attend his child's birth."

Tags: Childbirth and Pregnancy | Men’s Health | Nursing & Midwifery | UK News | Women’s Health & Gynaecology

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