Margareta Johansson1, Ingegerd Hildingsson2, Jennifer Fenwick3. 1. Department of Nursing, Mid Sweden University, SE-851 70 Sundsvall, Sweden; Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet Södersjukhuset, SE-118 83 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: margareta.johansson@miun.se. 2. Department of Nursing, Mid Sweden University, SE-851 70 Sundsvall, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: ingegerd.hildingsson@miun.se. 3. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Maternity and Family Unit, Research Centre for Clinical and Community Practice Innovation (RCCCPI), Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Queensland 4131, Australia; Gold Coast Hospital, Queensland 4215, Australia. Electronic address: j.fenwick@griffith.edu.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Decision-making in childbirth involves considerations about both the mother and her unborn baby's wellbeing. For men the safety of both is paramount. AIM: To explore and describe Swedish fathers' beliefs and attitudes around the decision for a caesarean section. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive study. Twenty one Swedish men whose partners had experienced elective or emergency caesarean participated in a telephone interview. Thematic data analysis was used. FINDINGS: The theme, 'Childbirth is Risky', included "Caesarean birth has lots of advantages" and "Birth mode does not matter". In the context of having experienced a caesarean section male partners considered birth mode to be irrelevant. The majority considered caesarean to be a quick and efficient way of giving birth which equated to being safer. Most men could articulate some risks associated with caesarean but these were mainly minimised. The second theme, 'Simply a matter of trust: Birth mode is not my decision', reflected men's belief that they had little to contribute to the decisions made around birth mode. The decision for a caesarean section was considered to lie with the medical practitioner. CONCLUSION: Mode of birth was regarded as unimportant. The recommendation for a caesarean section was readily accepted and appreciated, and shifted responsibility for birth to the medical practitioner. Involving men in the decision-making process by means of giving them information was valued. Men's limited knowledge about the risks of a caesarean may contribute to birth mode decisions. Professionals need to provide balanced and correct information within the context of individual circumstances.
BACKGROUND: Decision-making in childbirth involves considerations about both the mother and her unborn baby's wellbeing. For men the safety of both is paramount. AIM: To explore and describe Swedish fathers' beliefs and attitudes around the decision for a caesarean section. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive study. Twenty one Swedish men whose partners had experienced elective or emergency caesarean participated in a telephone interview. Thematic data analysis was used. FINDINGS: The theme, 'Childbirth is Risky', included "Caesarean birth has lots of advantages" and "Birth mode does not matter". In the context of having experienced a caesarean section male partners considered birth mode to be irrelevant. The majority considered caesarean to be a quick and efficient way of giving birth which equated to being safer. Most men could articulate some risks associated with caesarean but these were mainly minimised. The second theme, 'Simply a matter of trust: Birth mode is not my decision', reflected men's belief that they had little to contribute to the decisions made around birth mode. The decision for a caesarean section was considered to lie with the medical practitioner. CONCLUSION: Mode of birth was regarded as unimportant. The recommendation for a caesarean section was readily accepted and appreciated, and shifted responsibility for birth to the medical practitioner. Involving men in the decision-making process by means of giving them information was valued. Men's limited knowledge about the risks of a caesarean may contribute to birth mode decisions. Professionals need to provide balanced and correct information within the context of individual circumstances.
Authors: Mercedes Colomar; Newton Opiyo; Carol Kingdon; Qian Long; Soledad Nion; Meghan A Bohren; Ana Pilar Betran Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-05-05 Impact factor: 3.240