l We need emotional support to help us feel calm and accepting of our challenges.
l We need education in a language that helps us relate to and apply new skills.
LACK OF SUPPORT: THE DOWNSIDE FOR FATHERS Sadly, when this is not happen men suffer along with their families. Dads share that they can feel overwhelmed, under prepared and lacking in support. They can also feel like a failure, alone and isolated, lacking in knowledge, not important, and feel a loss of their sense of importance, power, and control over their identity. Unfortunately this can cascade
dads into mental health problems, depression, sadness, and loss of connection with their partner and baby. Studies from Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) show that one in ten men have perinatal depression (PND). It’s a serious issue and one we need to address.
NOTICING THE DADS For the most part, our health care system focuses on what works for women – rightly so, but noticing the dads and taking bigger steps to integrate them into our education classes, support groups, resources and networks, will serve us all better. There is good evidence to support
this. A variety of studies show; when supporting not only women, but also their partners – during pregnancy, labour, and breastfeeding – the outcomes are better for everyone. Ellen D. Hodnett in Pain and
women’s satisfaction with the experience of childbirth1
argues that to
help a mother have a more satisfying birth experience four key factors need to be involved: 1. Quality support – continuity of care. 2. Trust in the care providers – team- work.
3. Feeling in control – making an informed choice.
4. Personal expectations – seeing the best in the situation.
The author concludes: “The
influences of pain, pain relief, and intrapartum medical interventions on subsequent satisfaction are neither as obvious, as direct, nor as powerful as the influences of the attitudes and behaviours of the caregivers.”
A SATISFYING EXPERIENCE FOR DADS I believe that if we paid attention to how we can help dads have a satisfying experience during pregnancy, labour, and birth this can have a positive effect on them bonding to their child and connecting to their family. The hormones and emotions that bond the mother to her child are shared with the father and give him a vested interest to want to protect and support his family through breastfeeding success and newborn care. He may be more willing to adapt his needs to consider his partner and child. In other words, a caregiver’s actions
and attitudes are more powerful and more influential than pain relief or medical intervention. The Cochrane review, Continuous support for women during childbirth2
labour, he can feel more a part of the process. He is more likely to notice what he can do to be helpful for his partner and baby and benefit from the positive rewards for doing so. Dr Sarah Buckley in Hormonal
Physiology of Childbearing3 – shows
that across the continuum from pregnancy, through labour and birth and into early parenting there is a connection to hormonal physiology that supports bonding and attachment with both parents. The more engaged, informed, and supportive the dads are, the better the outcomes for mothers and babies. Other studies4, 5
that “The more her partner knows about
breastfeeding and is willing to help and encourage her, the more likely she will breastfeed successfully.” We all benefit when we help parents
,
finds that we can give quality support by creating a supportive birth team. The study indicates that support from a professional birth attendant also makes a significant difference to parents’ birth satisfaction through: 1. Greater maternal satisfaction. 2. Increased sense of well-being and control.
3. Fewer medical interventions. 4. Increased chances of VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean).
5. More confident and supportive fathers.
6. Better mother-intent attachment. 7. Increased success in breastfeeding. 8. Decreased PND.
WORKING AS A TEAM Mums, dads, and caregivers can all feel more supported when working as a team, and have a real impact on improved outcomes. When we increase our support to include the dad during pregnancy and
lay strong foundations for their family life. I encourage us all to raise our awareness to the factors influencing dads’ experiences during pregnancy, birth, and early parenting. This is going to help families get off to a good start with stronger foundations to grow from. We can improve our ability to engage dads in this new space by responding from both our head and our heart with curiosity, care, compassion, and appropriate education. l
The second part of this article continues with some practical tools for supporting dads. It can be found online at
www.livingnow.com.au along with a complete list of references.
Connect with other readers & comment on this article at
www.livingnow.com.au
Erika is a birth coach, doula, educator and group facilitator for Birthready. She is one of the most experienced doulas working
in Melbourne today. Her workshops, private consulting, guest speaking and volunteering for Birth for HumanKIND help guide women and their partners to achieve empowering births and transition better into life as parents.
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2017 89
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