title: Greek fathers' experiences from their wife's/partner's labour and delivery: A qualitative approach.
abstract: This study aimed at exploring Greek fathers' experiences from their wives/partners' labour and delivery, and their perceptions about aspects of delivery care that need to be improved. It took place at hospital maternity clinics at the greater area of Thessaloniki, Greece. Participants were fathers whose wife/partner had given birth one week to one year before the data collection. The data were collected with the use of the Kuopio Instrument for Fathers (KIF). In this article we present the data obtained by KIF's four open-ended questions, which were analyzed using the method of content analysis. Three core categories emerged: (i) Meaning of presence during the delivery process; (ii) Experiences of the delivery process; and (iii) Suggestions for improving delivery services. Fathers take their role seriously and seek an active participation. Healthcare professionals and health education interventions should take into account the fathers' perspectives and aim to meet their needs.
authors.affiliation: Head of the Department of Nursing, Frederick University, Cyprus.|Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Despina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sapountzi-Krepia
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Psychogiou
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Visiting, Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Evanthia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sakellari
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsiligiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.|Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Katri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vehvilainen-Julkunen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004644:Emotions; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Greece; delivery; fathers; labour; qualitative study