title: Fathers' experiences of a vacuum extraction delivery - a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore fathers' experiences of a birth by vacuum extraction (VE).
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative interview study with 10 fathers analysed with qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The theme 'affected but helpless' refers to the father's role changing when childbirth terminates with a VE. From initially being involved in the delivery, his role switches to being merely an observer at the mercy of the professionals' knowledge and guidance. The VE procedure evoked concerns over the mother's and the child's safety and wellbeing, even if the fathers wanted the birth process to be over. The fathers considered the choice of conducting a VE as an adequate alternative, but they expressed concerns about consequences on future decisions. The theme encompasses all the main categories: wish to be involved, anxious observer, turbulent feelings and thoughts about consequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VE delivery has a strong emotional impact on fathers and the procedure is often experienced as a dramatic way to end a birth and an ultimate way to terminate a long birth process. The results indicate that a lack of support and of a genuine opportunity to participate, as well as the mother's pain impair their experience, not the VE delivery, per se.
authors: Division of Reproductive Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; MK2, Department of Obstetrics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: sofia.zwedberg@zp.se.
authors: Sofia
authors: S
authors: Zwedberg
authors: Sykehuset- Innlandet HF.Elverum- Hamar, Norway.
authors: Hilde
authors: H
authors: Bjerkan
authors: Sophiahemmet, BB Sophia, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Asplund
authors: Division of Reproductive Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Ekéus
authors: Division of Reproductive Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Hjelmstedt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D004644:Emotions; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012380:Role; D014620:Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Birth experience; Fathers' involvement; Qualitative content analysis; Vacuum extraction