Abstract
PurposeAs men nowadays often attend the delivery of their own child, they also have to go through the labor period. In this study, the condition of the expectant fathers attending labor was evaluated.MethodsIn 2016, fathers who went through labor with their partners in the University medical center of Mainz were interviewed within the first days after delivery and 6 months later. They received a “Fathers questionnaire” concerning their motivation, the valuation of their attendance, their emotions during labor, and concerning the service in the labor ward. Six months later, they also received the validated Impact of Event Scale questionnaire (IES-R). In total, 318 participants answered the “Fathers’ Questionnaire”, 226 the IES-R.ResultsFather’s attendance during labor was considered to be beneficial for fathers themselves (254, 79.8%), for the mother (272, 85.5%), for the newborn child (187, 58.8%), for the relationship (234, 73.6%). Only four could not see a purpose in their attendance. 73 men (23%) felt helpless, 47 (14.8%) were overwhelmed by the situation, 116 (36.5%) felt fear, 299 (94%) were happy to be present at birth, 27 (8.5%) felt traumatized by experiencing their partners in labor. According to the IES-R, none of the 226 men surveyed showed all symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.ConclusionChildbirth is related to positive and negative emotions. Positive emotions are predominant, but come along with negative feelings. In this survey, posttraumatic stress disorder did not occur among men after delivery. Nevertheless, fathers’ needs should be kept in view.
Highlights
Childbirth is ideally the embodiment of happiness felt by the parents of a newborn child
In 75 fathers (29.4%) who had notions what to expect during labor, these expectations did not come true
The fathers were asked if their attendance during labor was good. 272 (85.5%) answered that it was good for their partner, for 254 (79.8%), it was good for themselves, 187 (58.8%) had the impression that it was good for the newborn child. 234 (73.6%) participants expected their attendance to be beneficial for their relationship
Summary
Childbirth is ideally the embodiment of happiness felt by the parents of a newborn child. Delivery is a border experience in the life of a woman. A woman is at the mercy of this special situation, due to the nature of childbirth, including the experience of pain and sometimes the first confrontation with hospitalisation and medical intervention. As men often participate in the birth of their own children, this event represents a fundamental turning point in the lives of both, women and men. When a child is born, it will require both parents’ full attention. A major change takes place both in everyday life and on the emotional level. Transition to parenthood is ideally accompanied by many positive feelings.
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