title: First-time fathers' expectations and experiences of childbirth in relation to age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to investigate first-time fathers' expectations and experiences of childbirth and satisfaction with care in relation to paternal age.
  
  
  METHODS
  data from a randomised controlled trial of antenatal education were used for secondary analysis. Data were collected by questionnaires in mid-pregnancy and at three months after the birth. Comparisons by χ(2)-tests and Student's t-tests were made between men in three age groups: young men aged ≤27 years (n=188), men of average age 28-33 years (n=389) and men of advanced age ≥34 years (n=200).
  
  
  METHODS
  the expectant fathers were recruited from 15 antenatal clinics spread over Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  777 first-time fathers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  antenatal expectations and postnatal memory of the childbirth experience varied by paternal age. In mid-pregnancy, mixed or negative feelings about the upcoming birth were more prevalent in men of advanced age (29%) compared with men of average (26%) and young (18%) age (p<0.01), and they feared the event more than the youngest (mean on the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire: advanced age 43.3; average age 42.9; young 38.7; p<0.01). The older men also assessed their partner's labour and birth as more difficult (advanced age 43%; average age 41%; young 32%; p=0.05) and had a less positive overall birth experience (advanced age 30%; average age 36%; young 43%; p<0.05). However, older fathers were more satisfied with care given during the intrapartum period: 52% were overall satisfied compared with 46% of the men of average age and 39% of young age (p=0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  men of advanced age had more fearful and negative expectations during their partner's pregnancies and postnatally assessed the births as less positive and more difficult than younger men did. Despite this, older men were more satisfied with intrapartum care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  knowledge about age-related differences in the expectations and experiences of first-time fathers may help midwives and doctors give more individualised information and support, with special attention to older men's expectations and experiences of the birth as such, and to younger men's perception of care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Division of Reproductive and Perinatal Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Clinical Research Dalarna, Falun, Sweden. Electronic address: erica.schytt@ki.se.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schytt
authors.forename: Malin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergström
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005220:Fathers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D010332:Paternal Behavior; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
keywords: Advanced paternal age; Birth experience; Expectations; First-time fathers