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Cesarean childbirth: Psychological implications for mothers and fathers
Author(s) -
Pedersen Frank A.,
Zaslow Martha J.,
Cain Richard L.,
Anderson Barbara J.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
infant mental health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1097-0355
pISSN - 0163-9641
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0355(198124)2:4<257::aid-imhj2280020408>3.0.co;2-k
Subject(s) - childbirth , affect (linguistics) , medicine , cesarean delivery , vaginal delivery , obstetrics , distress , developmental psychology , psychology , pregnancy , clinical psychology , genetics , communication , biology
Home observations, ratings of interaction, and interviews were carried out in families with first‐born 5‐month‐old infants. Comparisons were made between two groups of families differing as to whether the childbirth had been a Cesarean or vaginal delivery. Fathers whose babies had been born by Cesarean delivery reported greater involvement in child care and were rated as more responsive to infant distress. Both mothers and fathers tended to show less animation in interactions with their infants following a Cesarean delivery: mothers engaged less frequently in vigorous physical stimulation and showed less reciprocal positive affect with their infants, and fathers smiled less at their infants.