Nine In 10 New Dads 'Present At Birth'

Nine out of 10 fathers-to-be are present when the child is born - and nearly as many also come to scan appointments, says a survey.

The study of 5,300 recent mothers by Oxford University found most happy with their care during pregnancy and the birth.

However, only two-thirds had been offered antenatal classes.

The National Childbirth Trust said the survey findings were further evidence of a shortage of midwives in England.
The study, funded by the Department of Health, questioned women who gave birth in a two-week period in late 2009.
Although similar surveys were carried out in 1995 and 2006, it is the first time that questions have been asked about the role of the father during pregnancy and birth.

As well confirming that the vast majority of men choose to attend the birth, the study found that two in five male partners directly sought out information about pregnancy and birth, and 61% accompanied their partner at antenatal checks.