Nervous fathers-to-be could be more of a hindrance than a help in the delivery room, experts warn.

Anxious men pass on their fears to mothers giving birth by Caesarean section, researchers from the University of Bath and Imperial College London found. Their anxiety increased the pain experienced by women immediately after the operation, which in turn could affect their recovery and influence the success of breastfeeding and parent-child bonding.
The study suggested that fathers should be prepared, both at antenatal classes and before the operation, to help reassure their partners about the procedure.

One in four babies born in Britain is now delivered by Caesarean section.