ABSTRACT
Preparation for parenthood is important for fathers as well as mothers. The emphasis of current antenatal teaching for fathers often seems to be on the factual aspects of labour, familiarizing them with procedures and equipment, and encouraging them to be present at the birth. Anxiety measured by self-report scales in first-time expectant fathers has, surprisingly, been found to be lower than the population norm, and lower than that of fathers whose partners were not pregnant. The baby is interpreted as a rival for the mother's affection, reawakening earlier conflicts from his own childhood. Oedipal conflicts are those in which the male child has hateful fantasies towards his father, wishing to have his mother all to himself. It is not surprising that the partners of women who become mentally ill after childbirth should be disturbed themselves. In case of puerperal psychosis, where the illness is severe, sudden in onset, and distressing in character, psychological distress in the partner is almost inevitable.
