Childbirth - an emotionally demanding experience for fathers.
BACKGROUND
While attending birth mostly has a positive impact on becoming a father, it has also been described as including feelings of discomfort and is more demanding than expected.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to explore Swedish fathers' birth experiences, and factors associated with a less-positive birth experience.


METHODS
Mixed methods including quantitative and qualitative data were used. Two months after birth 827 fathers answered a questionnaire and 111 (13%) of these commented on the birth experience. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, chi-square test for independence, risk ratios with a 95% confidence interval, logistic regression and content analysis.


RESULTS
In total, 604 (74%) of the fathers had a positive or very positive birth experience. Used method identified a less-positive birth experience associated with emergency caesarean section (RR 7.5; 4.1-13.6), instrumental vaginal birth (RR 4.2; 2.3-8.0), and dissatisfaction with the partner's medical care (RR 4.6; 2.7-7.8). Healthcare professionals' competence and approach to the fathers were also related to the birth experience.


CONCLUSIONS
As the fathers' birth experiences were associated with mode of birth and experiences of the intrapartum medical care fathers should be respectfully and empathically treated during labour and birth. It is essential to better engage fathers during the intrapartum period through involvement and support to improve the likelihood of a positive birth experience.
Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, SE-851 70 Sundsvall, Sweden. margareta.johansson@miun.se
Margareta
M
Johansson
Christine
C
Rubertsson
Ingela
I
Rådestad
Ingegerd
I
Hildingsson
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003625:Data Collection; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004644:Emotions; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011361:Professional Competence; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires