There is now a societal expectation that partners will be present for the birth of a child. According to the NCT, around 90% of fathers are present when their child is born in the UK. They do not give information for same sex partners.
Until the 1970s, the dominant view was that birth was a ‘female’ domain and few men attended the birth of their babies.
The role of the partner in the birth room has been predominantly presented societally as something that supports to the person giving birth, leading to a better birth experience.
Much research looks at if this is the right decision for any or all of those involved.
If you are pregnant, and in the process of thinking about who you may like at your birth, some points to reflect and read more on:
- Intimacy issues and impact on person giving birth.Studies have shown that, if someone with less emotional intimacy has their partner in the birth room, it can increase the amount of pain experienced.Fear of what your partner may see during the birth process can also create stress during labour for some people.
- Long term impact on relationship. May be bonding. May be difficult.This is especially relevant to what your partner sees during delivery, which many may be perfectly happy with, but for others it is something that impacts intimacy in the relationship down the line.
- Compassion and trust.A review on companionship during labour found that those who wanted a
companion present during labour and childbirth identified compassion and
trustworthiness as the most important characteristics of a labour companion. This can be considered relative to the relationship you have with your partner and where it currently stands.
In general, in research, companionship appears to help women to have a more positive birth experience.
The Experience of Your Partner
In the same review mentioned above, male labour companions most often felt that their presence made a positive impact on them and on their relationship with their partner and baby.
Some felt anxious witnessing pain.
Some male partners also felt they were not well integrated into the care team or decision-making.
Useful Studies to Read
Articles and Studies:
Why having a companion during labour and childbirth may be better for you
(Cochran review)
Fathers in the birth room: choice or coercion? Help or hindrance?
Fathers’ coping style, antenatal preparation, and experiences of labor and the
postpartum.
Hidden Fathers? The Significance of Fatherhood in Mid-Twentieth-Century Britain
