Compared with past generations, society’s expectations are increasingly for fathers to play a full role throughout pregnancy, labour, childbirth and in the postnatal period. Most expectant mothers want their partners to be involved and this desire is also shared by most expectant fathers.

There is also substantial evidence about health and wellbeing benefits that result from fathers being involved in their partner’s maternity care. Promoting a cultural shift throughout healthcare provision to include fathers in all aspects of a child’s wellbeing is needed. NHS policy is to increase engagement with and encourage fathers’ involvement in maternity care in order to improve overall family support.

With this in mind the RCM alongside the Fatherhood Institute, The RCOG and the DOH have produced the following publications which are intended to provide useful insight to all maternity service staff as to how they might best encourage the involvement of fathers throughout pregnancy and childbirth, and into fatherhood and family life.

It is envisaged that these documents will increase awareness of the importance of fathers being engaged in maternity care as well as assisting local maternity services in the development of their own local practices and guidelines.

To download both the Reaching out: Involving Fathers In Maternity Care and the Top Tips publication click on the images above.