We see a great deal of news
about celebrities who during host shows talk about their children, but rarely
their experiences of childbirth. Two particular favorites of mine are Antonio Banderas and Brad Pitt. This leads me to believe that such discussions
are considered ‘taboo’ or ‘not cool’, along with pictures and discussions of
women in labour and breastfeeding. However, almost all people will produce
offspring.
For midwives, attending to the father must be
considered part of providing family care. Delivering quality support to
families embraces the 6 C’s advocated by the Department of Health (2012), which
includes compassion, courage, competency,
commitment, care and good communication. These integrally include family
members.
In
the West there is a contemporary expectation that ‘fathers’ should be present at
the birth, with many unclear of their job description. In addition to painting
the spare room he is also expected to provide his partner with support during
her birth experience. A former RCM survey established that 98% of UK fathers
want to participate at the birth, with the majority holding positive attitudes
towards the impending event. Some fathers judged themselves as being on the periphery
of events during labour and were unsure of their role. It would seem quite
natural for a father to be nervous about his role, especially if it is his
first time. He may lose sleep worrying over whether or not he will cope, in
accord with the axiom ‘I have many worries and most of them never happen’.
The
question I am asking is whether midwives do enough to allay fathers’ anxiety
and to prepare him for his impending role. It is usual for a childbearing woman
to discuss her ‘birth plan’ with her midwife, partner and friends and
expectantly conversations should incorporate preparing the father for his
impending role.
It
is important for all parties to acknowledge each others wants and attitudes
towards this life altering experience. If the quoted 98% of fathers want to be
present at the birth, the remaining 2-3% don’t. What happens when this is
voiced? How do we respond?
There is a dearth of
evidence about the expressed requirements and fears of men in relation to birth,
although research has shown that men’s fears are comparable to women’s. For
example, risk of their partner or baby suffering and/or losing control. Advantages
and disadvantages of the father being present at the birth is an under
researched area. For example, one stated benefit is the potential for enhanced bonding
with both mother and baby and the potential for developing sexual difficulties post
birth, both of which are under researched areas.
What can midwives do to help?
In
2008, I developed a tool called the Birth Participation Scale (BPS), which midwives
can use to prepare fathers for the birth. If you want to utilize this
instrument then please contact me (c.j.hollins-martin@salford.ac.uk).
The BPS ascertains whether the father genuinely wants to attend the birth and if
so gives the midwife indicators of how to help him plan his journey.
