The advice has been developed in response to research that found fathers are often excluded from maternity care.
It argues that many mothers feel their partners receive little or no support, while midwives and health professionals can fail to recognise the benefits of paternal involvement in maternity care.
The guidance cites several best practice case studies, which NHS Trusts across the country are advised to learn from.
For example, the maternity unit at University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust offers antenatal classes on Sunday afternoons and evenings to fit around fathers’ working lives and to avoid football fixtures.
At the Royal United Hospital in Bath, a pilot project is allowing new fathers to stay overnight on the maternity ward to help support their partners and be involved with their new baby.
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