02 October 2014 02 Oct 2014

Involving fathers in maternity care

The recognition of the physicality of motherhood is obvious—the woman shows abdominal enlargement and ultimately gives birth to a baby. Fatherhood, however, is not at all like that: the changes that the father experiences are not visible and they may, therefore, feel detached from becoming a parent. These emotions might be highlighted in many cultures where rules dictate that the father should stay away from the birth.