Beckham voted best dad

ENGLAND CAPTAIN David Beckham is not only a role model for young, aspiring footballers - today he's been voted 'the perfect dad' by other fathers.

Becks, father of toddler Brooklyn, topped the nationwide poll of first time dads, beating father-of-four PM Tony Blair and Sir Bob Geldof into second and third places to take the crown as the perfect father.

And soon-to-be father for a third time, Liam Gallagher, has been voted the worst role model dad.

The 'First-Time Dads' study by Norwich Union Healthcare shows that first-time fathers are under-prepared for the arrival of their bundle of joy - with a third doing no research of their own before the birth and three quarters admitting they didn't talk to their partner about their own feelings or concerns.

And almost half of all first time fathers feel that there is not enough information around to help dads prepare for the pregnancy or birth.

Topping the list of fathers' biggest gripes after their baby was born were sleepless nights and tiredness, followed by a loss of freedom and reduced social life. But only one in ten new dads found changing nappies a problem.

The research - carried out amongst more than 400 first time dads - also shows:

	•	The average amount of time fathers take off after the birth of their child is 4.5 days and a quarter reduce the number of hours they work after the birth
	•	Nine in ten fathers felt they should be granted more paternity leave after the birth of their child
	•	Almost half of men don't attend ante-natal classes with their partner
	•	A fifth of men who attended the birth said they felt squeamish, but nine in ten said it was the best experience of their life
	•	A quarter of men would like to experience being pregnant for a day

In response to the need to provide new fathers with realistic information and advice about pregnancy and the birth, Norwich Union Healthcare has produced a guide called 'The Thin Blue Line'.

The guide has been written specifically for dads and includes information about preparations for the birth, such as ante-natal classes and ultrasound scans, and what to expect from their partner during the pregnancy. It also includes tips on how to cope in the delivery room and how to survive those first few months of fatherhood.

Dr Doug Wright of Norwich Union Healthcare said: "Our research shows that men want to be more involved in their partner's pregnancy and the birth, but feel that there's a lack of resources to help them. There is a need for information specifically written for new dads and so we've written this guide."

Norwich Union Healthcare's guide is written with the help of leading pregnancy, childbirth and parenting charity, the National Childbirth Trust (NCT). Its chief executive, Belinda Phipps said: "NCT research has also shown that there are significant gaps in the information that men want about pregnancy, birth and life with a new baby.

"All men should have the opportunity to find out about what to expect during labour and childbirth, and how to be supportive before, during and after the birth. Confident, able fathers are more likely to be involved fathers."

To obtain a free copy of 'The Thin Blue Line' call Freefone 0800 200 203.

Notes to editors

• Norwich Union Healthcare commissioned Brand & Issues to conduct an independent survey of 410 males aged 25 - 45 years. Research was carried out in January and February 2001.
• Norwich Union Healthcare was founded in 1990 as the healthcare arm of Norwich Union and now provides a range of income protection and private medical insurance products to around 675,000 customers. It is one of the largest providers of income protection and private medical insurance in the UK.
• The National Childbirth Trust is the largest and best-known childbirth and parenting charity in Europe. It offers wide-ranging information and support both at national level and locally through its 400 branches. Consulted by decision-makers on all aspects of pregnancy, birth and early parenting, the NCT works hard for improved maternity care and better services and facilities for new parents.
• CGU and Norwich Union merged on 30 May 2000 to create CGNU plc - the world's 6th largest insurer, the UK's largest insurance group and one of the top-five life insurers in Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world.

CGNU's principal business activities are long-term savings, general insurance and asset management with worldwide premium income and retail investment sales of Ł26 billion and assets under management of more than Ł200 billion.

The combined life and pensions, general insurance and retail fund businesses in the UK operate under the Norwich Union brand, while the institutional business operates under the Morley Fund Management brand.

For further media information, contact Anja Kueppers or Matthew Buchanan at QBO on 020 7379 0304 or Louise Zucchi at Norwich Union Press Office on 08703 66 68 60