Lived experiences of Asian fathers during the early postpartum period: Insights from qualitative inquiry

Abstract

Objectivethis study aims to understand fathers’ expectations, needs, and experiences in infant care during the early postpartum period in Singapore. Designa descriptive qualitative study design was adopted. Settingthe study was conducted in a tertiary public hospital in Singapore. Participantsfifty participants (first-time as well as experienced fathers) were recruited from postnatal wards of a public hospital. Findingsthematic analysis was used to analyze the interviews data. Four main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) support system of fathers, (2) paternal involvement in childcare, (3) challenges of fatherhood, and (4) recommendations by fathers. Key conclusionthis study found that the postpartum period is a stressful period for both first-time and experienced fathers. Fathers desired to be involved but were hindered in many ways, such as maternal gatekeeping, work commitments, and a lack of infant care skills. Experienced fathers faced difficulty in assimilating older children with the newborn. Implications for practicefathers’ needs to be involved in the infant and maternal care activities in the postpartum period. Necessary help from healthcare professionals and policymakers are needed for fathers to assimilate to fatherhood.