Experience of Fathers Who Participate During Their Wive's Childbirth: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

It is important to know the experience of fathers who provide support during childbirth in terms of improving the childbirth results. This study describes the experiences of fathers who participate during their wives’s childbirth in Türkiye. The research design is qualitative and descriptive, based on a phenomenological approach. Research data were collected through online in-depth interviews between January and February 2021. The sample comprised 12 fathers, reached by criterion sampling. The two data collection tools were the Individual Identification Form and the Semi-Structured Interview Form. Content analysis of the research data was conducted using Maxqda. Four themes emerged to describe the father’s birthing experiences: “prenatal preparation”, “fathers’ birthing support”, “emotions experienced during the birthing”, and “fathers’ views of the birth”. The fathers experienced many contrary emotions during the birth process. Fathers have a positive experience from participating during their partner’s birthing process due to the midwife’s support. Fathers who want to support their partners during birth should be informed about the importance of participating in prenatal courses.