USA: 50 years ago, very few fathers attended their children’s births.
Today:
- 93% of fathers, who live with their partners, do so, as do
- 45% of those, who live separately
-- Kiernan & Smith, 2003
NHS data shows even higher figures:
- 98% of fathers attending the birth,
- 48% attending antenatal/parenting classes
- 85% at least 1 prenatal appointment with a midwife, and
- 86% at least 1 ultrasound scan
-- National Health Service, 2005
http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?id=2&cID=578
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UK:
- While 86% of fathers now attend the birth of their child, the report found that:
- many still feel excluded at the birth and
- can be literally shut out, when visiting time is over
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7343229.stm