Nursery World - A man's place

The advent of the doula as a new form of childcarer has focused attention on whether fathers are a help or hindrance at a baby's birth.

The majority of women in labour in our society today are accompanied by their partners; a recent study carried out by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) put the figure at 89 per cent. Clearly, the prevailing orthodoxy is that it's best for the father to be present at a birth. But should this be called into question?

Dr Michel Odent, the London-based obstetrician and writer who pioneered birthing pools and birthing rooms in his native France in the 1960s and 1970s, says that it should.

'I believe personally that the best positive environment for easy birth for many women is a delivery in a small room at home, nobody else around, and an experienced midwife,' he says. 'One has to remind people that it's something new to have the father participating in the birth; in almost all cultures childbirth has always been women's business, including in Europe. At the beginning of this century, when most babies were born at home, the man was usually in the house but was kept busy boiling water or performing some other task.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included