Fathers are being excluded from maternity services to the detriment of their children and partners, concludes a report from the Fatherhood Institute, published today.
The current set up does little to encourage fathers to take an active role from birth onwards, says the report, which is based on research with healthcare professionals and parents before, during and after birth.
Those that do want to get involved are frequently not supported to do so, especially if they are young or from disadvantaged backgrounds. And those that show no interest are not challenged, it says.
Yet there is a stack of evidence showing the benefits of paternal involvement for both children and parents, says the report.
The report sets out a 12-point action plan, which includes a clear NHS definition of the father’s role at birth and professional training for midwives to be more inclusive of fathers; and a national programme of free study days on this topic.
While most fathers now attend the birth of their child, many still feel excluded at the birth and can be literally shut out when visiting time is over, says the report.
Maternity services should also allow and encourage fathers to be present for the doctor’s ward round, and when support is given on baby care skills, it recommends.
Breastfeeding support should also include fathers, says the report, which also recommends that both parents be allowed to stay together overnight on postnatal wards.
The report also suggests that the UK should change birth registration practice and adopt the Australian approach, which follows up fathers who don’t sign the certificate in a bid to obtain both signatures.
Currently, 45,000 men every year in the UK don’t sign the birth certificate when their child is born, equivalent to 7% of all births.
Chief Executive Officer of the Fatherhood Institute, Duncan Fisher, said: “Research clearly shows that the positive involvement of fathers right from the start is crucial; and that when professionals engage with fathers, particularly young or otherwise vulnerable dads, this makes a huge difference to mother and baby.
“The mother’s responsibilities are reinforced at every opportunity, but reverse is true for fathers, right from the start. This includes information on smoking and drinking and its impacts on the child.
“The father needs to be held as responsible as the mother for their child’s wellbeing, which means staff taking every opportunity to inform, help or challenge him (as they do with mothers) rather than brushing him aside,” said Mr Fisher.
“Currently, we don’t ask questions if a father fails to show for the ante natal appointment or doesn’t sign the birth certificate. If things are going to change, we have got to start sending both mums and dads some very different signals.”
Janet Fyle, professional policy advisor of the Royal College of Midwives, commented: “The midwife's primary role is to the mother and baby; however, we see the inclusion of the nuclear and extended family as key to supporting mothers and their children.”
The Dad Deficit and Maternal and infant health in the perinatal period: the father's role is available at: www.fatherhoodinstitute.org