Child Birth

During pregnancy, fathers express uncertainty and exclusion, which is more prominent in first-time fathers, while fathers with own previous experience of childbirth seem to feel more relaxed. If fathers feeling uncertainty and exclusion they tend to focus on the practical preparations instead of the emotional. Studies describe fathers preparing for childbirth as reading books, participating in antenatal care visits and engaging in dialogue with friends and their partners. If the antenatal midwife fails to involve the fathers during care visits, they may feel frustrated and unprepared for childbirth. Expectant fathers desire a dialogue about the practical preparations, as well as parenthood. Fathers expect to be present during childbirth and support their partner and describe their presence during childbirth as non-optional. Being present during childbirth is also an important part of the process of becoming a father. During childbirth fathers’ feelings oscillate between euphoria and anxiety. They express worry for the safety of both their partners and babies, as well as feelings of stress, fear and guilt. Fathers describe feelings of being unprepared for the long wait in time, pain and their partners’ reactions, as well as their own feelings of helplessness during childbirth . However, cooperation between the midwife and the father in support of the woman could reduce the father’s feelings of helplessness.

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Last date updated on September, 2024