While Prince William was, not surprisingly, present during the birth of his and Kate’s son (what, you didn’t know?), not all men are so helpful.

Or strong-stomached. Indeed, some are so sensitive – or squeamish – they pass out at the critical moment.

A fact highlighted in a recent survey of 1,000 of mums with children under five which found that five per cent of dads actually faint during childbirth.

A figure Oxford midwife Bea Longthorp however thinks is a bit high. “I’ve delivered thousands of babies during 14 years as a midwife and I’ve only had about three,” said Bea, 33, who works on the community team at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

“Mind you, I’ve had some medical students faint too.” As a consequence, if anyone is looking queasy Bea tells them to leave the room as no one can look after them.

“It’s usually at the point of delivery and your priority is mum and baby,” said Bea. Having said that, Bea thinks William was probably very supportive during Kate’s labour.

“I think she would have done a fantastic job, they are such a rock solid couple.

“And I’m thrilled that she’s breastfeeding too, and he said he would do the nappies,” she added, clearly believing the couple are a good role model for new mums and dads.

But not all women have such a good experience with their partners. According to the survey, the vast majority of women want their partner to be with them at the birth of their child, but post-birth, a fifth who did have partners present said they would have preferred a friend or family member instead.

Most surprisingly however, one in 10 said they wouldn’t allow their partner to be there at all while giving birth.

“I have seen men not helping and the woman would probably have done better with just a midwife or their mum,” said Bea.

“In my experience, men should only be there if they want to be there. If they are too worried and anxious it will be a hinderance rather than a help."

In fact, Bea is quick to point out that it has only been since about the 1970s that men have been involved with the births of their children.

“Up till then it was women’s work.”

But she agrees the rewards of being present can be great.

“I think if you ask any new dad,” she explained “he will say that seeing your child take its first breath of life is a wonderful thing. Most wouldn’t miss it for the world.

“On the whole, men are wonderfully supportive and have had good preparation beforehand”

Although she did have one new dad just peep over the top of his paper when the baby arrived but she gives him the benefit of the doubt.

“I think he was frightened, so he absorbed himself in the newspaper,” said Bea, who is mum to William, three and one-year-old Clara.

Others find different ways to distract themselves from the nitty-gritty of childbirth. “Quite a lot of men get really into the machines, looking at how everything works,” said Bea “But most are really good - they hold hands, pass iced water, massage mum’s back . . . all the things they should do.”

And in fact, some take it one step further. “I’ve had about four dads who have been down there at the bottom end and delivered their own babies,” said Bea.

“It’s really lovely and the mums love it.”

If the birth is going well and she thinks dad is up to it, she’s happy to let him put some gloves on and guide him through the delivery.

Some decline the offer but Bea is literally hands-on, putting his into the right position.

“It’s just a matter of catching really!”