Opinion
For many men, attending the birth of a child is a momentous and emotional occasion. However, one of the world's leading obstetricians says the father's presence can lead to his partner needing a caesarean delivery, and even to marriage break-ups and mental illness.
Michel Odent, a childbirth specialist, also believes the labour can be longer, more painful and more complicated because the mother senses his anxiety and becomes nervous.
Is it best for fathers to stay away from the delivery room? Here is the latest selection of Your Views: