The Birth Experience

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that the birth experience has an impact on parental attachment to the infant, which can affect the quality of parenting for the child. The paper examines the factors that facilitate stronger attachment of the fathers to their infants. The paper presents an interview with a subject (referred to as BM) that reflects a more traditional view of the childbirth experience. The paper highlights how those responsible for a patient's care must be sensitive to all of their needs and must recognize the important role of fathers.

Outline:
Fathers and Pregnancy
Cultural Differences in Reactions to the Childbirth Experience
Case Analysis

From the Paper:

"Cultural constraints of the past considered having children to be solely the role of the woman. However, recently these social roles have changed and fathers are now expected to be concerned over their pregnant spouse and to take a more active role in the birth experience. Despite these findings, fathers still report that they feel a lack of emotional involvement in the childbirth experience (Williams and Umberson, 1999). Evidence supports the suggestion that greater levels of involvement by fathers results in lower levels of stress. This helps both parents make the transition to parenthood (Williams and Umberson, 1999)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Berlin, E., and Fowkes, W. (1983). A Teaching Framework for Cross-cultural Health Care--Application in Family Practice. Western Journal of Medicine. 139(6): 934-938.
• Kleinman, A., Eisenberg, L., and Good, B. (1978). Culture, illness, and care: clinical lessons from anthropologic and cross-cultural research. Annals of Internal Medicine. 88(2):251-8.
• Rizk, D., Al-Shebah, A., El-Xubeir, M., Thomas, L., Hassan, M., and Ezimokhai, M. (2002). \ Women's perceptions of and experiences with medical student involvement in outpatient Obstetric and gynecologic care in the United Arab Emirates. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2002 Oct;187(4):1091-100.
• South-Paul, J. (2003). Cross-Cultural Issues Concerning Sexuality, Fertility, and Childbirth. The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice 16:180-181.
• Tervalon, M. and Murray-Garcia, J. (1998). Cultural humility versus cultural competence: a Critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. 9(2):117-25.

More papers on The Birth Experience:

• Article Review # 26779 : "The Effect of Birth Experience on Postpartum Depression"
• Essay # 68610 : "Albert Adler, Birth Order and Personality"
• Analytical Essay # 16593 : "The Yellow Wallpaper"

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