Tanzania’s Ministry of Health has banned fathers-to-be from entering into labour wards to witness the birth of their children. This decision follows complaints from the members of the country’s House of Representatives and other concerned individuals that the presence of men in the wards was both abusive to women and “against religious principles.”

To this end, it was suggested that the Tanzanian government make provisions for “women doctors to serve their fellow women.” Presently, and perhaps out of pure medical necessity, only male doctors and nurses are granted the privilege of being allowed into labour wards during childbirths. But does this solve the alleged religion problem? Or does it simply address and attempt to solve the more legitimate psychological and infrastructural problems that surround the issue of the presence of expectant fathers in labour wards? Issues that should actually be the focus, if the health of the women are truly of primary concern.

In 2014, Tanzania’s National Health Policy 2025 Vision was revisited and a debate arose in the health sector about the roles and impact of expectant fathers in labour wards during childbirth. A section of health experts in the country agreed that men should be encouraged to participate in their wives’ pregnancies, from conception to childbirth. But other members of society rested their argument on various studies outlining the negative psychological effects of the men’s presence during labour.

However, midwives and nurses in Tanzania maintain that the only barriers preventing the presence of fathers in labour wards from reaching its full potential in improving health in the country were infrastructure and cultural beliefs. Privacy was the number one issue in terms of infrastructure, as most expectant mothers had to share labour wards with other women. Healthcare services and the attitudes of healthcare workers towards the notion of men being in the wards were other factors.

While research proves that it is true in some cases that the presence of men in a labour room could lead to complications such as a delay in the delivery process, immense pain, and mental stress for the woman, such evidence has mostly been discovered amongst couples who have emotionally strained relationships.

For the luckier couples, the outcome of the delivery had nothing to do with whether the fathers were present or not. In fact, a lot of couples swear that sharing the experience of their child being born made their relationships better. Also, in addition to scientific research, most couples tend to have personal reasons why they would or wouldn’t prefer to have the man in the labour room. These range from how the experience could take a toll on their sexual life, to how it could form tighter bonds between them.

Although couples and health practitioners around the world are still divided on the subject, the 2014 debate in Tanzania was dominated by recommendations that it should be a matter of choice for couples. The healthcare industry was charged simply with providing an enabling environment for it to happen in. This view is also shared by a multitude of people in the global health community.

However, for the group of people who support the presence and involvement of men in labour rooms, or ask that the decision be left to the couples, the consensus is that it is wise for the couple to psychologically prepare for the event together well before hand.

For more insight, listen to the podcast below: