A guide to help fathers during the pregnancy, birth and postnatal periods of their partners is being published.
Men can be left "traumatised" by the experience, according to the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), and the pamphlet called Reaching out: Involving Fathers in Maternity Care will offer support to fathers and midwives.
Funded by the Department for Health (DoH), the 16-page guide is a joint publication produced by the RCM, DoH, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Fatherhood Institute.
It will be launched at the RCM's annual conference in Brighton.
Cathy Warwick, general secretary and chief executive of the RCM, said: "A father's role should not begin and end at conception.
"There is now substantial evidence of the benefits resulting from fathers being involved in their partner's maternity care.
"Most women want their partners to be involved in their pregnancy. NHS policy is to increase engagement with fathers and encourage them to be involved in their partner's maternity care in order to foster positive parenting and family relationships.
"Midwives play a vital role in engaging with men during antenatal care, labour and birth and the postnatal period."
Public Health Minister Anne Milton added: "Fathers want to feel involved throughout their partner's pregnancy and this guide is a step to making that happen.
"We've worked closely with the RCM on this to make sure midwives recognise their unique role so fathers feel welcomed and supported during this special time in their lives."