Fathers’ involvement in ‘cutting the cord’ – questioning ‘taken for granted’ acts?

Abstract

This article draws on illustrative fieldnotes and interview transcripts from a recent ethnographic study into midwife-father communication during childbirth,1 which identified that the practice of the midwife inviting the father to ‘cut the cord’ after the baby’s birth appears to have become commonplace. This article explores midwives’ and fathers’ perspectives of the event, invites midwives to reflect on their own views and practice, and raises broader questions about approaches to involving the labouring woman’s partner.