Fathers’ Experiences during Delivery of Their Newborns: A Content Analysis

Abstract

Background: Paternal involvement during pregnancy has been shown to have a positive impact onthe mother-baby dyad during and after birth. The presence of the father during birth also positivelyinfluences father-child attachment, reduces, apprehension, and stress, increases maternal satisfaction,and increases love and respect for the partners. This study explored the experiences of fathers whowere present in the delivery room during the delivery process.Methods: This qualitative content analysis study was conducted at a maternity hospital in Kingston,Jamaica from June to July 2022. A total of ten (10) fathers of babies delivered within six weeks werepurposefully selected to be interviewed via telephone over four weeks. Data were analysed using athematic approach.Results: Four sub-themes and one theme were extracted from data analysis. Fathers perceivedsatisfaction and empowerment in the shadow of positive and negative feelings as the theme. Subthemesemerged from the data including “clinician’s acceptance and support”, “close bonding andattachment with mother and baby”, “preparedness of fathers to give support”, and “inspiring andamazing feeling by fatherhood experiences”.Conclusion: Fathers experienced the feeling of empowerment and wished to take up their role duringthe delivery of their newborns. Their experiences were influenced by the midwives and the resourcesavailable to support their accommodation. More policies are needed to strengthen the fathers’involvement during antenatal clinic visits, delivery, and postnatal care.

Keywords

• childbirth
• delivery
• fathers
• jamaica
• labor
• maternity
• newborn