Family life starts at home : Fathers' experiences of a newly implemented Swedish home-based postnatal care model - an interview study

OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe fathers' experiences of a newly implemented Swedish home-based postnatal care model. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted as a part of a larger study. SETTING: Families who qualified to be discharged early were offered to participate in a postnatal home-based model of midwifery care by a hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS: In total, 16 fathers participated in a semi-structured telephone interview, averaging 43 min. Data were analyzed using systematic text condensation. FINDINGS: Three major themes emerged: To decide on home- or hospital-based postnatal care - a matter of safety, To be offered professional midwifery postnatal support at home, and To be at home helped fathers to navigate parenthood. Fathers appreciated the home-based postnatal care and felt safe because of the received professional support from midwives. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Home-based postnatal care was valued by fathers whose partner had a non-complicated vaginal birth because they felt safe in their home environment and supported by midwives. The home environment aided fathers in supporting their partners and developing a father-infant bond. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Home-based postnatal care was valued by fathers and should be considered an option for new families. To offer home-based postnatal care may result in less overcrowded postnatal wards. Midwives need to enable fathers' participation and support their parental role regardless of where the care takes place.