Should Father Help At Childbirth?

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31635, 22 March 1968, Page 3

Should Father Help At Childbirth?

(N.Z.P.A. itaf correapondent) LONDON, March 20. British medical authorities are no longer deeply involved in arguments as to whether husbands should be present at the birth of their children. They have become involved in the next stage of the debate whether fathers should help when the baby is born. •Or Brian Burne, medical officer of health in the district of Amersham, Buckinghamshire, is studying a poll he took £mong midwives who were involved in 1737 home deliveries. He has found that in 651 of the cases the father not only helped in the birth but was welcomed by mother, midwife and doctor. Dr Burne is an enthusiast for the presence of the father at the time of birth, whether in the home or at a hospital. “Some husbands are as good as midwives,” he said yesterday. "At the end they should be awarded a certificate. “They time contractions, know when to send for the midwife, and when not to. By just being there, they give their wives confidence. “The mother becomes more efficient not only as a mother but obstetrically. Her

tolerance of discomfort is enhanced.” Many liberal medical authorities in Britain believe that too many matrons and doctors slam the labour-ward door on husbands and that too many women are left, alone and frightened for too long. They are urging the Minister of Health (Mr Robinson) to discourage hospital authorities from placing prohibitions on the presence of husbands where there is no medical reason for justifying a denial of this.