Paternal Fears of Childbirth: A Literature Review

Abstract

To date, most studies on paternal childbirth fears have been exploratory or descriptive, conducted outside of the United States, and focused mainly on White, first-time fathers. Identified fears include harm to the mother or newborn, partner pain, feelings of helplessness, lack of knowledge, and fear of high-risk intervention. Fathers often report that childbirth classes are not helpful and, in some cases, even increase their fears. Some fathers view birth as traumatic, changing their perception of and relationship with their partner. Fathers also voice the need for more information and for reassurance that they are doing the right things for their partner during childbirth. This article summarizes the research findings on paternal childbirth fears and recommends topics for future study.

Cross-cultural development and psychometric evaluation of a measure to assess fear of childbirth prior to pregnancy

“…Recent studies of young women and men planning to have children indicate that attitudes towards pregnancy and birth are well developed in this population (11)(12)(13)(14)(15) and the same positive association between prenatal preferences for elective interventions and fear of childbirth is seen among men and women who plan to have children and pregnant women (14,15,19). These findings suggest that addressing fear of birth during pregnancy might be too late, and earlier intervention is necessary.…”

“…A literature review by Hanson et al (2009) identified the following paternal fears: harm to the mother or newborn baby, partners' pain, feelings of helplessness (especially when fathers were not involved in decision-making), lack of knowledge, and concern about high-risk interventions. The most common fear reported by fathers was fear that their partner would have to endure intolerable pain and suffering (12).…”

Fathers’ engagement in pregnancy and childbirth: evidence from a national survey

“…According to a study in the UK in 2000, about one third of men attended antenatal classes with their partners but found them of doubtful value, sometimes leading to unrealistic expectations [6,11,12]. However, when there were specific antenatal groups focussing on men’s needs there were benefits in terms of reduced distress, increased ability to cope and improved relationship with their partner.…”

Investigación acción: Intervención educativa para la promoción del contacto precoz padre-hijo en el contexto del nacimiento

“…En algunos estudios se revelan experiencias de mucha ansiedad cuando los padres se enfrentan al parto por primera vez, y más aún, cuando las cosas no se dan como se esperaban (10). Otras de las dificultades expuestas por los Discusión 132 Claudia María Uribe Torres investigadores que han desarrollado esta línea es el enfrentamiento del padre (principalmente primerizo) al dolor del parto y al medio a lo desconocido, lo que genera en el padre la sensación de pérdida de control, vulnerando su identidad masculina (9,19).…”

“…Mucho de lo que existe actualmente corresponde a experiencias negativas en el padre (9,10) o efectos indeseados en la madres. Esto se ha abordado principalmente desde dos vías de cuestionamientos y discusión.…”