...to wonder when fathers started to be present at their child's birth?

[ComposHat]

For no other reason than I'm curious.

I was born in the very early eighties and in common with most of my friends born in the late 70s/early 80s, my father was present at the birth.

Obviously when my parents were born in the 1950s my grandfathers didn't go anywhere near.

So does anyone know it became the norm for fathers to be at the birth?

It depended on where you lived and gave birth. Round here (liberal, raffia-mafia town) it was not unusual to have fathers present in the 1960s. Down the road in a seaside resort I shall not name but which was always popular with the elderly, you had difficulty persuading the hospital that the father of your child should be present at the birth as late as the early 80s. But in general, I think late 60s/early 70s was the start of the practice.

When my mum had my brother in 73 dad's were not welcome as 'they had done their bit 9 months ago', when she had me in 77 they said if my mum wanted my dad there they would 'make sure he came in', mum didn't and he didn't want to be either! I still do not think it was the norm in 77, I think it was more the mid to late 80's.

Probably around the time they got rid of the "father's room" through hospital cuts.

Although I do imagine it has more to do with the break down of the extended family where grandmothers to be/ aunts etc would naturally be around to help and be at the birth.

My sisters were both born in the 70's and Dad wasnt present for their births.
I, on the other hand because im ever so terribly special and important and was born in the mid 80's my dad decided he'd like to be around.

I should add, my brother was born in London and me in a small town in Essex.

I was born at home mid-60s. My father regaled me every birthday with how he'd had to burn my placenta etc on a bonfire in the garden afterwards, but he certainly wasn't in the room at the time of the birth - he was waiting downstairs.

When my brother was born in early 1970's my dad wsn't in. When I was born in 1976 the midwife insisted he stay.

I was born in 78, my dad wasn't allowed in the room. My sister was born in 82, and he was allowed in then. So probably around 79-81.

Big sis - 1965 - dad not welcome
Me - 1966 - dad not welcome but mum made a huge fuss and they let him in (to "calm her down" though she didn't actually need him for that, just wanted to get him in!)
Little bro - 1970 - dad allowed in

So late 60s into 70s it became possible, but probably still not common

I was a homebirth in the late 60's and according to my mum the midwife made my dad sit in the corner of their bedroom so he could be present at the birth of one of his children. My siblings were all apparently sat on the stairs waiting for news.

From the way my mum tells the story you get the impression that dad being present at my birth was something similar to man walking on the moon.

My eldest cousin didn't have her DH present and she gave birth in the early 1970s. I think it was still the norm to give birth at home well into the 1960s.

my dad was not there for any of the births, from late 60's to late 70's. But that may have been because he was down the pub seeing as he was a drunk

I've always wondered this too. Born in late 80's so it was of the norm by then and my Dad was present (I think!)

I had my first in 1980. DH was present. It certainly wasn't unusual by then.

Thanks for that, I thought late 60s/early 70s, might have been close to the mark. The whole regional variation between regions is interesting too. I discussed this topic with a friend from a Scottish island (exactly the same age as me) and she was flabbergasted that my father had been at my birth.

My brother was born in 69 and matron did not approve of dads being anywhere the birth. By 72 when I was born she still didn't approve, but I was born very quickly at the weekend and he sneaked in.

Born in 1969, Dad missed the birth as he went to get a cup of tea and it all happened quicker than expected - DM hasn't stopped mentioning it since so I guess it was normal round for dads to be there (S London) then!

round there - sorry.

72 and 74 in midlands (me and dsis) - dad wasn't there at my birth, sis was home
Birth where think kept out way to look after me .

My mum wasn't allowed to have my dad with her as late as 1980.
They also insisted on a hospital birth in case of complications, then left her to give birth alone, unable to reach the alarm cord!
Thank goodness things have improved since then

Rural Midlands btw

My Mum had my sister at home (intentionally) in 1961 and my Dad was downstairs giving a piano lesson as she gave birth. My brother and sister remember my birth in 1965, because Dad took them out for ice creams and when my brother dropped his, he wasn't allowed another one. I don't think he'd want to be present, even today ...

and my DH went into shock when I was in labour in 1999, so he might have been better left at home ...

Wasn't the done thing in the 70's anyway.

I don't think I will have my DP at the birth of this baby. I'd rather get on with it myself in privacy unless it's a c-section, then he can come in IF he wants.