title: ["There she was - lying like Jesus on the cross ..." - Fathers' experiences of childbirth].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While 50 years ago fathers/partners were not allowed in the delivery room, nowadays their presence seems to be necessary. Research about this topic is summarized, and the results of a longitudinal study are presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expecting fathers (N = 30) were interviewed about one month predelivery (t1) and six months postpartum (t4) by a same-sex interviewer about their plans for delivery and their experiences during labor and childbirth. The interviews were then content-analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quotations from the prebirth interviews show that all men explicitly stated that they wanted to be present at the childbirth, although 13 % gave the impression that for them it was impossible to say "no" to this matter. And in fact all were present (100 %). Their experience of labor and delivery was characterized by intensive positive (joy, relief) and negative (e.g., fears, anxiety, worries, shock, helplessness, disgust, flight impulses) feelings. The newborn baby evoked deep feelings of joy and emotion - but also great helplessness and alienation were described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implications for childbirth preparation, obstetrics, risks of mental disorders, the parents' relationship, sexuality and the respective research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Am Koellnischen Park 2, Berlin. kirsten.von.sydow@psychologische-hochschule.de
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: von Sydow
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Happ
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy