Men's Confrontation with Pregnancy from Women's Point of View: an Ethno Phenomenological Approach.

Fatemeh Erfanian Arghavaian,Robab Latifnejad Roudsari,Mohsen Noghani Dokht Bahmani,Abbas Heydari

doi:10.15171/jcs.2019.033

Abstract

Introduction: In providing pregnancy services, particular attention is given to the mother and her infant and comparatively less consideration is paid to men’s role. This study aimed to explore how Iranian men are confronted with pregnancy from pregnant women’s point of view.Methods: This study was conducted, using an ethno-phenomenological approach. 25 Pregnant women were recruited via purposeful sampling from health centers, hospitals, and private obstetric clinics in Mashhad, Iran. In-depth semi-structured interviews (n=25), vignettes, (n=13) as well as observation were used for data collection. The data were organized with MAXQDA software version 10 and analyzed, using van Manen descriptive- interpretive phenomenological approach.Results: The main theme which emerged was: "adaptation, skillfulness and self-actualization of man in confrontation with pregnancy". This was derived from two themes: 1) "spouse's emotional engagement" subthemes spouse’s emotional confrontation with pregnancy occurrence, man's sentimentality following being an expectant father, husband`s confrontation with wife's motherhood, man's emotional excitement, seeing the symptoms of fetal survival, husband's gender orientation and 2)"Concentration, vigilance and active efforts of spouse during pregnancy" subthemes managing wife towards successful pregnancy, efforts to acquire paternal skills and pregnancy as an issue to expand spouse's mental horizons.Conclusion: Besides an overwhelming sense of emotion, men tend to be supportive in managing successful pregnancy. As an opportunity window pregnancy seems to develop thinking, vision and horizons of life among men and increases their responsibility. By promoting male participation in pregnancy, important steps could be taken to improve maternal and infant health using spouses` support approach.

Highlights

In providing pregnancy services, particular attention is given to the mother and her infant and comparatively less consideration is paid to men’s role
The findings of this study showed that men have overwhelming perceptions, feelings and emotions due to confrontation with pregnancy and its consequences, including becoming a father
While some aspects of pregnancy were unfavorable for some men, they adapted to their expectations of a positive and successful pregnancy and supported their wives

Summary

Introduction

Particular attention is given to the mother and her infant and comparatively less consideration is paid to men’s role. Most women said that through increasing men’s participation during pregnancy, more benefits come to the family.[2] The results of previous studies showed that men play a vital role in pregnancy, which has long-term effects on maternal and child health,[9,10,11] and their participation is considered a strategy that could reduce maternal mortality.[3,12] Men can provide mental, emotional and even verbal support for their pregnant women during pregnancy.[13,14]

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Methods

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Conclusion