Involving men in antenatal education

Although antenatal sessions have changed over the last 20years, there is still dissatisfaction among new parents about the level of preparation for their new role. In particular, research indicates that fathers feel ill-prepared. This paper reports the introduction in one Australian hospital of men-only discussion groups which are facilitated by a father. In each case the facilitator was a health professional, although this may not be a necessary qualification. Each group sets its own agenda, and so a range of issues may be discussed. These include ‘fathering’ — the adjustment to being a father, and different parenting styles; and ‘birth’ — the man's role in the childbirth process.