Attitude of Married Couples Toward Husband’s Presence at Childbirth: A questionnaire Survey
10.2185/jjrm.62.779
- VernacularTitle:夫立ち会い出産の現状と夫婦の意識調査
- Author:
Yuka MATSUNAGA
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine
2014;62(5):779-784
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
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Abstract:
In Japan, there is an increasing trend for husbands to attend their partner’s childbirth in hospital. This may be interpreted as a result of an intense eagerness on the part of husbands. Actually, their attitude to childbirth has become very positive. Many studies have pointed out that husband’s support is one of the factors contributing to easier delivery. Our hospital allows husband’s attendance during childbirth. The purpose of this study was to clarify the actualities of the husband’s involvement in childbirth in our hospital, post-delivery changes in the couples’ feelings and the needs of labor support by midwives. For these ends, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 40 couples who have experienced vaginal deliveries, and at the same time we reviewed their birth record. Those who gave girth with their husband present accounted for 45.7%. Most replies of the husbands who had been present at childbirth reflected their strong wishes to support their spouse and share the momentous event. It was also found that there was some differences of opinion between couples about the presence of men during their partner’s labor. Therefore, different midwifery support has to be started in the early months of pregnancy according to their needs. We have started working out a plan for each mother-to-be from pregnancy to the expected date of confinement. Midwives in the outpatient ward who have a thorough knowledge of the wishes of pregnant women and their husbands are to let midwives in the maternity ward know the exact needs of the couples, thus assuring the women giving birth safe and sound, and contributing to the strengthening of the couples’ bonds.
