Hw # 41 - Research

10. Ideal versus typical male roles during pregnancy & childbirth

A. Bibliography

1) Two to Tango: the father’s role in pregnancy by Pamela Wilson (http://health.ninemsn.com.au/pregnancy/planning/693682/two-to-tango-the-fathers-role-during-pregnancy)

This article suggests that father be included more from the beginning, from the minute the woman begins to get her regular checkups because if not many tend to be left out. It also suggests father must help her be stress free which might mean helping around the house, creating a relaxing environment and most of all keeping communication open. But it also says even today some men like to be in dark and let woman make all the choices because birth makes them uncomfortable. Two to Tango main point is to show what the ideal man is and how this has become “normal” no longer weird in the western world/culture. Where male participates and helps make their partner’s life much easier during this time. But at the same time it reminds us that there are still some of the typical men who would rather watch by on sidelines than be a part of pregnancy, because it is uncomfortable or have been taught or grown up seeing the typical role.

2) The History of Childbirth – Ouch! By James Martell (http://www.thehistoryof.net/history-of-childbirth.html)

History of Childbirth shows what the typical male role has been through the years and how it has evolved, due to development of society. During the 1880s, the man/partner was nowhere to be seen during the hospital birth not even if the father was a doctor. “It was not really until the 1970’s that fathers were allowed into birthing rooms, and at that time it was not so that they could help, they had to stand in the corner and just watch!” In hospital births today, 2011 the father or partner is still standing in corner watching while doctors and nurses are working. If man has enough courage and not feint at the sigh of blood, he stands by her and comforts her as much as he is allowed. This article also says that even midwives back then had a problem with men being same room during birth! “Midwives tried hard to discredit him; they also complained that it was unfavorable and distasteful to have males present during such an intimate female “process”.” The article is evidence that proves what the typical man has been through the years during childbirth, and how it has changed and is today. You can now have your husband attend, even a sister, friend, doula, midwife, family or all! But I recall sitting in waiting area with my older brother, sucking on lifesavers in the middle of night bored but excited for the arrival of our new sibling, but also upset because we weren’t allowed to be with my mother. And I asked why this was, my curious five year old self and my uncle who was watching us told me it was because we were “germy”(five year old vocab), the germs we carried would not be safe for baby or the birth. So I guess, even today you can’t really have everyone in the room but from what we’ve learned and read during home births it is ok.

3) Phone call to Uncle Francisco in Mexico – (Doctor)

I call my uncle and ask him what he has seen through the years during birth about the male role because he used to be a gynecologist but now has his own clinic as a regular doctor. He says that in Mexico when he was doing births, fathers were not allowed to be in the room during childbirth. Then when I later ask my mom whether my dad had been allowed to be there with her for support, and proved what my uncle has said – he was not allowed. I didn’t have time to ask because accidentally spent most minutes catching up with my grams. But I believe have my own explanation for this, the reason I think it is that the poverty in Mexico has not allowed for technology development or access in comparison to western world like US. Times I have gone, my cousins tell me that in the high schools there are no computers, that they must go to a cyber café instead which are like the Starbucks here, except they don’t own their laptop are simply renting it. Might be wrong or there is more to this but it shows how different typical male role is in US compared to those in other countries around the world.

4) Fathers and Homebirths (http://www.homebirth.org.uk/blokes.htm)

Fathers and Homebirths show what the ideal male role of a father is during a home birth and I saw great examples of this in the book I read Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent. Like in the book, woman comment on how great it was to have their partner there during birth, participating and even helping process with out feeling conscious, as he would have in a delivery room. There are even those who are hands – on partners, from making tea, making sure blankets are warm and ready for baby, massaging/ comforting woman, and even will even want to catch the baby. This is the ideal male role during birth, because it allows the male to be part of it and not feel like awkward just watching not being able to do anything but watch their naked wife moan and scream, without being able to fully comfort her.

5) The seven secrets to being a home birth dad (http://www.homebirth.org.uk/blokesven.htm)

Seven Secrets to being a home birth dad is a perfect read for a future father, so an hear from experience of one who has already gone through this and understands what feelings he may be having. It enjoyable read and comical toward regular hospital birth, letting them know that here he will have so many little jobs to do he wanted be standing around to get fearful. It again shows what the ideal man is birth in general, like he says if I would rather to recognize my baby’s father then be unconscious and not have him by my side comforting me.

B.

I could use this research to support my academic project, where I would explore it more in depth and possibly on what male role in general is in US compared to other countries OR interviewing several woman asking them what their child’s role was during birth and if they wished it was different or would have preferred.