Michel Odent says Dads don't belong at births.

[hanabi]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1879

Click the link to read more.

And excerpt:

This week, the Mail reported a new survey which said fathers should be allowed to stay overnight in hospital on the day their baby is born.
But how much should a man be involved in his child's birth? Leading obstetrician Michel Odent has been instrumental in influencing childbirth practices for decades.
Here, with a view that will outrage many - but will strike a chord with thousands of others - he describes why he believes that when a woman goes into labour, her partner should stay well away.
For many years, I have not been able to speak openly about my views that the presence of a father in a delivery room is not only unnecessary, but also hinders labour.
To utter such a thing over the past two decades would have been regarded as heresy, and flies in the face of popular convention.
But having been involved in childbirth for 50 years, and having been in charge of 15,000 births, I have reached the stage where I feel it is time to state what I - and many midwives and fellow obstetricians - privately consider the obvious.
That there is little good to come for either sex from having a man at the birth of a child.
For her, his presence is a hindrance, and a significant factor in why labours are longer, more painful and more likely to result in intervention than ever.
As for the effect on a man - well, was I surprised to hear a friend of mine state that watching his wife giving birth had started a chain of events that led to the couple's divorce?

What do you think?

[hanabi]

Personally, while I was nervous about what he might see me do the first time, his presence definitely relaxed me and contributed to our positive birth experience. I can see how this might not be the case for others however.

For our subsequent babies he was the best doula in the world and I couldn't/wouldn't have been happy for him to miss his babies' births.

[tamarab30]

My ex-partner was not only useless in the birthing room but useless in real life, I'm surprised he spent enough time with me to help me conceive.
If my current partner and I were to ever have children together, I would not want ANYONE else in the room with me, but, that being said he is an amazing man and an amazing partner. We already have seven children together, so it will not be happening (makes me a little sad really, it would have been an incredible experience to share such a wonderful time with him).
Ahhhhh, I'm having one of those warm and fuzzy days, look out tonight Adam I think!
P.S. I voted I wanted him there but he didn't. Based on the experience with the ex. It didn't really fall into any category too well, this was the best fit. He was there but it was ALL about him and at one stage he actually told me to hurry up coz he was getting thirsty, what a pig! My labour was only three hours!
Wish I could've voted differently.

[coco]

wow! really surprised to read that....

I strongly disagree.

I appreciate that for some it might be the case..... each women.... each birth is unique... as is the relationship between the mother and father...

I always feel amazed when I read things like this.... or hear comments that have been made by males to birthing friends.....He maybe an expert and have been at over 15,000 births..... but he has NEVER once given birth..... he has never experienced birth......

[tamarab30]

got to make you wonder how many births he has attended by couples who should have never been together in the first place.
wonder how many of those births were full of medical intervention and frightened not only the husband (who was probably feeling a complete lack of control over the situation) but the poor wife also?

[alzarex]

every time DH left the labour space the labour would stop and restart as soon as he returned so i don't agree

[~*Nile*~]

I found dh to be a good support through both my c/s.

I really think it depends on the partners personality. I know of some husbands that were freaking the woman out b/c they were so anxious, others that were nasty and unfeeling. In those cases they should not be part of the birth.

It's interesting coming from an ob - i wonder if secretly it's about taking the one non-pro in the room that can be objective about the care their wife is receiving? The one person whom may question unnecessary c/s or interventions when the woman is in labourland?

[Jakaluma]

I really think it would depend on the individuals and their relationship. I'm sure there are times it would hinder, but across the board?

I think there is a lot of pressure on men to be at the birth. In the same way 30 years ago it was unheard of for men to be at the birth, now a man is only allowed to not be present if he has an excuse like being unavoidably away at work. If it was a truly free choice, maybe more men would choose to not be there. Then only those who really want to be there would be.

[Deesalie]

I think it's not only the birth, but the pregnancy journey. If he's been useless throughout the pregnancy, then chances are he's going to be useless during labour, in which case f off & let me get on with it.

But as others have said, it depends on the relationship. My DP was my doula, my rock.

I think Kathi's right... if men actually had a *choice* then a lot would choose not to go but probably hover around the vicinity.

[Dorasmum]

It makes me teary to think about it but having my DH there during my births was utterly essential. He didn't have to do anything just be in the room. His presence was the calming I needed to birth well. He was actually very calm himself, and only got pale when they injected me with the synt needle with the first. I think he was very relieved when I opted out of that with the second.

COULD NOT have done it without him, or at least found it very hard. I had to have my mum there too actually, but not as essential.

Em