Article ID: CBB148184813

Hiding in the Pub to Cutting the Cord? Men’s Presence at Childbirth in Britain c. 1940s–2000s (2016)

unapi

Since the 1940s, men’s presence at childbirth has changed from being out of the question to not only very common but often presented as highly valuable. This article examines this shift, charting how many men were present at their children’s births over recent decades, considering how medical practitioners influenced men’s participation, and analysing what meanings parents gave to this experience. It suggests a number of factors led to the relatively rapid move towards the acceptance of men’s presence in the delivery room, but highlights this was not a simple transformation as a first glance at the figures would suggest. It argues that men’s involvement in home births became more usual before hospitals changed their policies about men’s presence, and considers how the role of fathers related to the increasingly medicalised nature of childbirth as this period progressed. It also considers whether men’s involvement is always positive or welcome for those involved.

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Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB148184813/

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Authors & Contributors
Kline, Wendy
Peschier, Diana
Yon Sil Yu
Michelle Millar Fisher
Sara Matthiesen
Amber Winick
Concepts
Childbirth
Hospitals and clinics
Physicians; doctors
Obstetrics and pregnancy
Medicine
Medicalization
Time Periods
20th century
19th century
20th century, late
21st century
20th century, early
18th century
Places
Great Britain
United States
Germany
England
Edinburgh
Puerto Rico
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