Effect of fathers at cesarean birth on postpartum infection rates.

Stephen H Jackson, Frederick R Schlich ting, Russell L Hulme, MD MD MD W hile most modern maternity units encourage a family-centered birth during labor and vaginal birth, physicians, nurses, and hospital administrators have been reluctant to allow fathers to be present at cesarean births.l In view of the high rate of cesarean deliveries, this policy eliminates a large percentage of fathers from being present a t the birth of their children. There are two rational concerns when a father is present in the operating room: an increased risk of maternal postpartum infection and the management of the father’s physical and mental presence. A study at our hospital evaluated these concerns. Methods. There are approximately 3,500 births annually in the obstetric unit of our hospital. One of the four delivery rooms is used almost exclusively for cesarean deliveries. A protocol for allowing fathers at the cesarean deliveries was established by the departments of obstetrics, anesthesiology, and pediatrics. We require a request signed by both parents. The obstetrician instructs the father,as to the policy and procedure to be followed and conditions for admission to, and exclusion from, the operating room. The obstetrician, anesthesiologist, and pediatrician must agree that the father can be present during cesarean delivery. The nursing staff outfits the father with a clean full-length cover gown, cap, mask, and shoe covers and supervises his handwashing with surgical soap. After regional anesthesia is administered, the father is placed in a wheelchair and brought to a position by one of the annboards. No attempt is made to facilitate or prevent the father from seeing the operative site. After the birth, the father can either accompany the newborn to the adjacent neonatal examination-resuscitation room for the initial evaluation and examination o r can remain with the