Expectant first-time fathers' experiences of pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
to describe first-time-expectant fathers' experiences of pregnancy.


METHODS
an inductive method using narrative interview form and qualitative content text analysis. The text of the transcripts was coded and categorised.


METHODS
seven first-time-expectant fathers living in a multicultural industrial town in southern Sweden were interviewed individually when their partner was in the 38th to 39th week of pregnancy.


RESULTS
all the fathers-to-be experienced some psychological, social and/or physical change during the pregnancy. The main category, was 'time of transition'. Eight categories were found under this. They were: 'feelings of unreality, 'insufficiency and inadequacy', 'exclusion', 'reality', 'social changes', 'physical changes', 'responsibility, and development'.


CONCLUSIONS
the fathers'-to-be special needs for support and encouragement during pregnancy may be as important as those of the mothers'-to-be. The caregiver needs to be as aware of and sensitive to these needs. However, before any interventions can be recommended more research is needed.
Finnbogadóttir
Hafrún
H
Medical Faculty, Department of Nursing Lund University, P.O. Box 157, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden. hafrun@telia.com
Crang Svalenius
Elizabeth
E
Persson
Eva K
EK
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D012934:Social Isolation; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013548:Sweden