Fathers in the delivery room: disruptive factor or important support?

Fathers in the delivery room: disruptive factor or important support?

Obstetrician Michael Odent speaks out in the discussion about the role of fathers in the delivery room. He says that the presence of fathers during childbirth is disruptive and thus causes controversy among parents. The article on Swabian illuminates that the author of the report, who gave birth to her children in the delivery room without the father, supports Odent's point of view.

She finds the idea of ​​having her father by her side during the birth stressful. In her personal account, she emphasizes that childbirth involves many “unsavory” aspects that she would not want to subject a man to. Despite her own experiences, she recognizes that many couples experience a positive birth together.

Personal experiences and large families

The author gave birth to a total of three children. With her third child, she experienced an emergency cesarean section in which the father was positioned behind a screen at the head of the bed. This arrangement was acceptable to them. This raises the question of how different men and women's perceptions are during the birth process.

A study published in the journal Thieme Connect was published, examines the factors influencing the father's birth experience in the delivery room. Here, 12 first-time fathers were interviewed using problem-centered interviews. The interviews were anonymized and evaluated, with all fathers retrospectively assessing the birth experience positively.

Fathers' impressions during birth

The study identified various influencing factors such as biographical aspects and the role of the medical professional, especially the midwife. While the majority of fathers experienced the pregnancy positively, for many the impending parenthood was still difficult to grasp. Many fathers accompanied their partners to check-ups and took part in birth preparation courses.

Some fathers felt helpless during birth, especially in the face of their partner's pain. Nevertheless, the overall atmosphere in the delivery room was perceived as pleasant and the care provided by midwives was perceived as competent. Interestingly, fathers reported different roles during birth, ranging from active to passive.

Regardless of the mode of birth or possible complications, all fathers rated their birth experience as positive. The midwife played a central role in this experience, which the study highlights. Their practical recommendations suggest involving fathers in the process early on and improving communication in the delivery room.

However, the research has limitations, such as the small sample size and possible biases due to the recruitment method. The debate about the role of fathers in the delivery room therefore remains an exciting and complex topic.