[Preparation for labor, labor experience and parent-child contact during the clinical stay: an empirical analysis with special reference to the role of the father].

The present pilot study is embedded in a larger longitudinal investigation on early parent-child interaction. Variables related to pregnancy, emotional birth experience and hospital conditions have been assessed in a sample of 69 parents who were given questionnaires before and after the birth of their first child. A critical evaluation of delivery room and hospital conditions indicated new ways of psychological support during the period of early parent-child contact. Further, the effect of infant caretaking courses on later paternal behaviour was evaluated by comparing two groups of fathers: "pretrained" fathers who had attended prenatal classes in infant care and untrained fathers who had not. The questionnaire data revealed that pretrained fathers diapered and fed the newborn significantly more often than the untrained fathers. Besides, there were already considerable differences between the two groups in the experience of feelings when fathers first saw their child. The present study suggests that the general trend of father's involvement in pregnancy, birth and infant care could be facilitated by adequate preparatory courses.