title: The father's role in labour--views of Pedi women.
abstract: Western women tend to favour the presence of their husbands during delivery. Traditional black customs, in contrast, place strong taboos on the male's involvement in birth. This article reports on the views of Pedi women delivering in hospitals or clinics towards their partners' presence at delivery. In all, 171 Pedi women were interviewed in urban and rural environments. Results suggest that most of these women still subscribe to the traditional role of the male at delivery, while a few are in favour of his presence. It is suggested that the reasons underlying this changing view be further explored.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001290:Attitude; D044383:Black People; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005220:Fathers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013019:South Africa