A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Fathers Involved in Vaginal Delivery: Real-Life Experiences
Abstract
Purpose: The birth of a baby is one of the most meaningful moments partners can experience throughout their lives. This study was conducted to determine the emotions, thoughts, and experiences of fathers involved in vaginal delivery.
Methods: This study was a qualitative research using phenomenological approach and theoretical thematic analysis approach was used in data analysis. The 22 couples participated in the study. The data were separately obtained from fathers involved in the delivery and their partners using the face to face in-depth interview method within four hours after delivery.
Results: The data were categorized into five themes: emotions, thoughts, and experiences of fathers involved in delivery; purpose of involvement; positive and negative feelings, roles, and responsibilities of fathers; expectations from health professionals; and meeting the baby for the first time. The fathers who were confused when they first entered the delivery room experienced ambivalent feelings, especially during the last phases of the active period and the expulsion phase.
Conclusion: Fathers should be involved in the childbirth process so that the parents can experience a favourable childbirth experience, the relationship between partners strengthens, the family life is affected positively, and the newborns are born into an environment in which they feel safe.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
No
Project Number
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Thanks
Thanks to all our midwives and nurse colleagues who supported our study in the delivery room, and all brave fathers who agreed to participate in our study.
References
- 1. Ocho ON, Moorley C, Lootawan KA. Fathers' presence in the birth room- implications for professional practice in the Caribbean. Contemp Nurse. 2018;54(6):617-29. Doi: 10.1080/10376178.2018.1552524.
- 2. Jomeen J. Fathers in the birth room: choice or coercion? Help or hindrance?. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2017;35:321-3. Doi:10.1080/02646838.2017.1361124
- 3. Bodet LM, Danielo M, Rozé JC, Flamant C, Muller JB. Father newborn skin-to-skin wheelchair transfer from delivery room to neonatal care unit: Possible change in practices. Arch Pediatr. 2022;29(2):100-4. Doi: 10.1016/j.arcped.2021.11.005.
- 4. Saxbe D, Horton KT, Tsai AB. The Birth Experiences Questionnaire: A brief measure assessing psychosocial dimensions of childbirth. J Fam Psychol. 2018;32(2):262-8. Doi:10.1037/fam0000365.
- 5. Karacam Z, Karatepe E. The Opinions and Needs of the Fathers on Participating to Labour. Celal Bayar University-Health Sciences Institute Journal. 2020;7(3):360-6. Doi: 10.34087/cbusbed.700561.
- 6. Polit DF, Beck CT. Intensive Care Nurses’ Experiences of Caring for Intubated Patients under Light Sedation: A Qualitative Study. Open Journal of Nursing. 2018;8(7):473-84. Doi: 10.4236/ojn.2018.87036.
- 7. Colaizzi P. Psychological research as the phenomenologist views it. In: Valle RS, King M, eds. Existential Phenomenological Alternatives for Psychology. New York: Oxford University; 1978:48-71.
- 8. Johansson M, Fenwick, J, Premberg A. A meta-synthesis of fathers’ experiences of their partners labour and the birth of their baby. Midwifery. 2015;31(1):9-18. Doi:10.1016/j.midw.2014.05.005.
- 9. Sweeney S, O’Connell R. Puts the magic back into life: Fathers’ experience of planned home birth. Women Birth. 2015;28:148-53. Doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2014.12.001.
- 10. Khajehei M, Hajizadeh N, Behroozpour E. Fathers in the Birthing Room: Theoretical Expectations and Real-Life Experiences. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2020;65(6):737-40. Doi: 10.1111/jmwh.13145.
- 11. Ledenfors A, Berterö C. First-time fathers' experiences of normal childbirth. Midwifery. 2016;40:26-31. Doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2016.05.013.
- 12. Eggermont K, Beeckman D, Van HA, Delbaere I, Verhaeghe S. Needs of fathers during labour and childbirth: A cross-sectional study. Women Birth. 2017;30(4):188-97. Doi:10.21203/rs.2.16974/v1.
Abstract
Project Number
No
References
- 1. Ocho ON, Moorley C, Lootawan KA. Fathers' presence in the birth room- implications for professional practice in the Caribbean. Contemp Nurse. 2018;54(6):617-29. Doi: 10.1080/10376178.2018.1552524.
- 2. Jomeen J. Fathers in the birth room: choice or coercion? Help or hindrance?. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2017;35:321-3. Doi:10.1080/02646838.2017.1361124
- 3. Bodet LM, Danielo M, Rozé JC, Flamant C, Muller JB. Father newborn skin-to-skin wheelchair transfer from delivery room to neonatal care unit: Possible change in practices. Arch Pediatr. 2022;29(2):100-4. Doi: 10.1016/j.arcped.2021.11.005.
- 4. Saxbe D, Horton KT, Tsai AB. The Birth Experiences Questionnaire: A brief measure assessing psychosocial dimensions of childbirth. J Fam Psychol. 2018;32(2):262-8. Doi:10.1037/fam0000365.
- 5. Karacam Z, Karatepe E. The Opinions and Needs of the Fathers on Participating to Labour. Celal Bayar University-Health Sciences Institute Journal. 2020;7(3):360-6. Doi: 10.34087/cbusbed.700561.
- 6. Polit DF, Beck CT. Intensive Care Nurses’ Experiences of Caring for Intubated Patients under Light Sedation: A Qualitative Study. Open Journal of Nursing. 2018;8(7):473-84. Doi: 10.4236/ojn.2018.87036.
- 7. Colaizzi P. Psychological research as the phenomenologist views it. In: Valle RS, King M, eds. Existential Phenomenological Alternatives for Psychology. New York: Oxford University; 1978:48-71.
- 8. Johansson M, Fenwick, J, Premberg A. A meta-synthesis of fathers’ experiences of their partners labour and the birth of their baby. Midwifery. 2015;31(1):9-18. Doi:10.1016/j.midw.2014.05.005.
- 9. Sweeney S, O’Connell R. Puts the magic back into life: Fathers’ experience of planned home birth. Women Birth. 2015;28:148-53. Doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2014.12.001.
- 10. Khajehei M, Hajizadeh N, Behroozpour E. Fathers in the Birthing Room: Theoretical Expectations and Real-Life Experiences. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2020;65(6):737-40. Doi: 10.1111/jmwh.13145.
- 11. Ledenfors A, Berterö C. First-time fathers' experiences of normal childbirth. Midwifery. 2016;40:26-31. Doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2016.05.013.
- 12. Eggermont K, Beeckman D, Van HA, Delbaere I, Verhaeghe S. Needs of fathers during labour and childbirth: A cross-sectional study. Women Birth. 2017;30(4):188-97. Doi:10.21203/rs.2.16974/v1.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Nursing |
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Project Number | No |
| Early Pub Date | November 15, 2022 |
| Publication Date | January 1, 2023 |
| Submission Date | August 31, 2022 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2023Volume: 14 Issue: 1 |
