Fathers in the birth room: what are they expecting and experiencing? A phenomenological study.
OBJECTIVE
to explore the role, expectations and meanings that individual fathers ascribe to their presence at birth.


METHODS
a Heideggerian phenomenological approach utilising in-depth interviews at two different time points.


METHODS
large tertiary maternity unit in the North West of England.


METHODS
11 first-time fathers accessed through hospital-based parentcraft sessions.


RESULTS
four main themes were evident: fathers' disconnection with pregnancy and labour; fathers on the periphery of events during labour; control; and fatherhood beginning at birth and reconnection.


CONCLUSIONS
birth is the moment that fathers ascribe as the beginning of fatherhood. However, through their lack of knowledge and perceived control, they struggle to find a role there.


CONCLUSIONS
midwives are ideally placed to help fathers to find a role through parentcraft and encouraging participation at birth.
Longworth
Heather L
HL
Midwifery Research Department, Room 54, Antenatal Clinic, Liverpool Women's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Crown Street, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK. heather.longworth@lwh.nhs.uk
Kingdon
Carol K
CK
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003696:Delivery Rooms; D004739:England; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult