Fathers’ roles matter too: An ethnographic study examining fathers’ roles and the influences on their roles during labour and birth

Longworth, Mary K.; Furber, Christine; Kirk, Susan

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2020.102857

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…In other studies, the experiences of fathers who did not have their first child but had another child were examined. Seven studies also examined the experiences of the women giving birth [ 43 – 49 ]. Another examined the experiences of the mother and sisters of the women giving birth [ 50 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in four studies the opposite was found: men felt unable to meet the mother’s needs and did not believe that they had been supportive [ 47 , 62 , 63 , 68 ]. Partners aim to provide comfort and protection [ 43 , 50 ], for example, by withholding negative information or advocating for the woman during conflicts with staff [ 70 ]. They provide emotional support by being present and offering conversation, physical support by aiding different birthing positions or easing mobility, and informational support by mediating between staff and the woman [ 49 , 65 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The environment influences the role of support people by either providing a place to be present and responsive to the woman’s needs or by preventing closeness [ 50 ]. Technology influences this, as do the presence of staff and the woman’s expectations and encouragement [ 43 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The partner’s experiences of childbirth in countries with a highly developed clinical setting: a scoping review

Schmitt

Striebich

Meyer

et al. 2022

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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Background In Western countries, it is common practice for a woman to be supported by a trusted person during childbirth, usually the other parent. Numerous studies have shown that this has a positive effect both on the woman’s satisfaction with the birth process and on physical outcomes. However, there is little research on the birth experience of partners and their wellbeing. The aim of this review is to summarise the existing literature on partner experience, consider its quality and identify the underlying themes. Methods Both a systematic literature search in three databases and a manual search were conducted, for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies from Western countries examining the experiences of partners present at a birth. Results A total of 35 studies were included. Only one study included same-sex partners (the other studies addressed fathers’ experiences only) and only one validated questionnaire examining partners’ birth experiences was identified. Four major themes were found to influence partners’ birth experiences: (1) intense feelings, (2) role of support, (3) staff support, and (4) becoming a father. Conclusions Partners may feel very vulnerable and stressed in this unfamiliar situation. They need emotional and informal support from staff, want to be actively involved, and play an important role for the birthing woman. To promote good attachment for parents, systematic exploration of the needs of partners is essential for a positive birth experience. Because of the diversity of family constellations, all partners should be included in further studies, especially same-sex partners.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The partner’s experiences of childbirth in countries with a highly developed clinical setting: a scoping review

Schmitt

Striebich

Meyer

et al. 2022

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Future research should also consider the perspective and expectations of the male partners. With regard to the discussion of the role of the modern father, there is evidence that according to culture, fathers are not adequately involved in the lives of their children, especially during pregnancy and birth [30]. In general, men are willing to become aware of their role during the birth process.…”

Section: Limitations Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Successful performance of these roles depends, among other things, on the quality of communication between fathers and health care professionals. Longworth et al [30] also identify the midwife as an important authority. Midwives can actively involve fathers by listening and responding to their concerns and needs, while enabling them to take an active or passive role in birth.…”

Section: Limitations Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the quality of woman-centred midwifery care from the mothers’ perspective: A structural analysis of cross-sectional survey data

Schulz

Wirtz

2021

Zeitschrift für Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualität im Gesundheit

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Objective: Development and psychometric evaluation of a multidimensional model and assessment scales measuring core aspects of the quality of woman-centred midwifery care processes in Germany. Design & Participants: 201 women, who received midwifery care during their pregnancy in 2018, were enrolled 6 to 18 months after birth. Data were assessed in a retrospective cross-sectional survey in Germany. Measurements: Established scales that are used in health care were adapted to the context of woman-centred midwifery care: Shared Decision-Making (SDM-Q-9-M), Empathy (CARE-M), Internal Team Participation (TEAM-M) and Professional Competence (PC-M). Confirmatory factor analyses were adapted to prove (a) the homogeneity of the single scales and (b) the multidimensional structure of the entire item pool. Findings: Appropriate to good model fit was confirmed for both the single assessments (CFI ≥ .96; SRMR ≤ .032) and the multidimensional model (CFI = .96; SRMR = .049). Minor model modifications reflecting local item dependencies had to be considered for the scales SDM-Q-9-M, TEAM-M, and PC-M. For the CARE-M scale, Participatory Communication proved to be a separate, second structural component. Conclusions: Shared Decision-Making, Empathy, Internal Team Participation, and Professional Competence constitute core components of woman-centred midwifery care processes. A multi-dimensional assessment is now available measuring women's experiences with midwifery care. The assessment provides an essential component to master the complex challenge of measuring the quality of midwifery care inside and outside the hospital by means of a standardised and validated assessment.

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Fathers’ Lived-Experience of Childbirth: A Descriptive Phenomenological Psychological Inquiry

Williams,

Broomé,

Markette

2023

Journal of Humanistic Psychology

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Better understanding fathers’ psychological experience of birth is essential to encouraging empathetic care. Using Giorgi’s 5-step descriptive phenomenological psychological method for analysis, the general psychological structure of what it is like for fathers to experience being involved in the birth of their first-born biological child was uncovered. Five fathers’ descriptions of the phenomenon, collected via nonstructured phenomenological interviews conducted over several months, were analyzed rigorously through descriptive phenomenological psychological reduction and free imaginative variation. The stable general psychological structure consisted of the following constituents: (1) Concern for Wife’s Wellbeing, (2) Empathy and Pride for Wife, (3) Relief in the Successful Birth, (4) Emergence of Interconnectedness with His Newborn Baby, (5) Paternal Responsibility, and (6) Creation of His New Family Constellation. This study highlights a need to understand fathers’ birth experiences as an embodied existential lived experience. This study should be understood in the context of pregnancies of nuclear family heterosexual couples.

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Fathers’ roles matter too: An ethnographic study examining fathers’ roles and the influences on their roles during labour and birth

Cited by 4 publications

References 51 publications

The partner’s experiences of childbirth in countries with a highly developed clinical setting: a scoping review

The partner’s experiences of childbirth in countries with a highly developed clinical setting: a scoping review

Assessment of the quality of woman-centred midwifery care from the mothers’ perspective: A structural analysis of cross-sectional survey data

Fathers’ Lived-Experience of Childbirth: A Descriptive Phenomenological Psychological Inquiry

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