The RUH in Bath is one of the hospitals in the UK that are now providing the chance for fathers to be more involved in the maternity care of their new baby while they are still in hospital.
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) says too often the dad is left out of the process, and midwives are now being asked to make more of an effort to involve the dad in all of the care while at the hospital.
It has been said that fathers should be more prepared by midwives, with examples being that seats are given during antenatal classes as well as training the mother’s partner to be a helpful birth partner.
The Great Western Hospital Trust is already working towards this with the Princess Anne Wing at the RUH now providing reclining chairs for the father to sleep in, so they are able to spend as much time in the hospital during the care for the new baby and mother.
Having the father there to concentrate on some of the roles of being a dad straight away allows for a greater understanding to be sought for the father, as well as allowing the mother to be able to focus on learning the basics while still under the care of the hospital staff.
1 Comment
KM
Thursday 17th November, 2011 at 13:03Its about time Fathers were included! I remember how sad my husband looked an our after our daughter was born and he was asked to leave the hospital as it wasn’t visiting time. I was upset too, to have had my husband with me during that long first night when she cried and cried would have been wonderful.