A new study has revealed that the fears of anxiety-ridden fathers are passed on to the mothers who are about to undergo a Caesarean section. As many as 65 women were studied by the University of Bath and Imperial College’s researchers before arriving at this conclusion.
This increased the pain women experienced after the operation, which in turn could affect their immediate recovery and factors such as breastfeeding and parent-child bonding.The researchers questioned the women during their regular antenatal check-ups. The women and their birth partners were questioned before, during and after the delivery about their fears, expectations and experiences.
The women were also assessed for their pain levels at different stages of the procedure and immediately afterwards. The study, published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, suggested fathers should be prepared for the Caesarean, both at antenatal classes and before the operation, to help reassure them. This could then help reduce the pain experienced by the mother and improve the birth experience for both the mother and father.
Edited (IANS)
