Fathers’ Feelings and Experiences during Pregnancy and Childbirth: A Qualitative Study

Background: Fathers feel excluded and insecure during childbirth and professional support for fathers can be inadequate. Therefore it is important to further understand fathers experience in order to develop professional support and to create a positive childbirth experience for both fathers and their partners. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore fathers’ feelings and experiences during pregnancy and childbirth. Materials and Methods: A qualitative method was used, with written interviews which were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis. Participants were eight fathers who wrote answers to two open questions. Results: The theme “Fathers have strong, mixed feeling while striving to become prepared and to participate during pregnancy and childbirth” crossed over into all the four categories: Being prepared gave security, Feeling needed, Feeling strong, mixed feelings during pregnancy, and Feeling strong, mixed feelings during childbirth. Fathers’ previous experiences from childbirth facilitated being prepared and increased sense of security. Conclusion: It was important for fathers to be prepared and to feel needed and to witness the birth of their baby was fantastic. Overall, the fathers were faced with handling their strong but mixed feelings while striving to prepare for and participate in pregnancy and childbirth. Implications: Healthcare professionals need to acknowledge that fathers have needs of their own during pregnancy and childbirth. Fathers also worry about the woman and the baby so they need explanations about normal changes as well as possible complications.