title: Needs of fathers during labour and childbirth: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: Fathers play an important role in the childbearing process, but are sometimes sidelined by midwives. The objectives were: identify fathers' needs during the labor and childbirth process; determine if their needs were met by midwives; and identify variables influencing these needs. The questionnaire was designed based on a systematic literature search and validated by a multistage consensus method. Data were collected during a cross-sectional study in two maternity wards in Belgium, where a medical-led model is used. Fathers present during natural childbirth were recruited via consecutive sampling. Based on multivariate analyses, fathers with a higher education level and multiparous fathers needed less information about the process of birth compared to less educated fathers (p<0.05; OR=4.08; 95% CI=1.02-16.31) or first-time fathers (p<0.001; OR=0.04; 95% CI=0.01-0.18). For multiparous fathers, a tour of the delivery room was less important than for primiparous fathers (p=0.005; OR=0.14; 95% CI=0.03-0.54). Married fathers needed less information on how to support their partners physically (p<0.005; OR=0.18; 95% CI=0.06-0.59) and emotionally (p=0.01; OR=0.24; 95% CI=0.08-0.72) compared to cohabiting fathers. Information needs are more important to fathers compared to needs focusing on the birth experience or their involvement. Socio-demographic variables like educational level, parity, and marital status were associated with fathers' needs. Midwives need to be aware of fathers' needs during the birth process and to fulfill these needs appropriately.
authors.affiliation: University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, block 5K3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: katrijn_eggermont@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Katrijn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eggermont
authors.affiliation: University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, block 5K3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: dimitri.beeckman@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Dimitri
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beeckman
authors.affiliation: University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, block 5K3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: ann.vanhecke@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Hecke
authors.affiliation: Vives Kortrijk, Doorniksesteenweg 145, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium. Electronic address: ilse.delbaere@vives.be.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Delbaere
authors.affiliation: University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, block 5K3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: sofie.verhaeghe@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Sofie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verhaeghe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Birth process; Fathers; Midwife; Midwifery; Needs