Emmeli Vallin1, Hanna Nestander1, Michael B Wells2. 1. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. 2. Prevention, Intervention, and Mechanisms in Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 1, 113 65 Sweden. Electronic address: michael.wells@ki.se.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fathers' attendance during pregnancy and childbirth has increased in recent decades. During childbirth, complications may occur that may put the woman and/or child in danger. To experience such situations may be traumatic for the father, as well as may increase his risk of childbirth-related mental illness during the postpartum period. AIM: The aim of this literature review was to describe expectant fathers' experiences of complications during childbirth. METHOD: We undertook a systematic literature review and meta-ethnography, where 10 articles were included. The search was conducted using the databases PubMed, CINAHL, PsychInfo and Medline with keywords and Boolean terms regarding fathers and birth complications. RESULTS: All included articles except one were qualitative. Eight articles were from high-income countries, while two were from a low-income country. The synthesis generated three overall themes Medical professional-father communication, An Emotional Journey and The Physical Environment with associated categories. CONCLUSION: When unpredictable birth complications arise, fathers may need additional social support. Child health professionals should reconsider how they support fathers, especially during complicated births, as a lack of support may lead to poor psychological mental health, feelings of exclusion and negative birth experiences. Greater efforts should be made to change medical professionals' attitudes and behaviors toward fathers so that they can better support their partner and have a more positive birth experience.
BACKGROUND: Fathers' attendance during pregnancy and childbirth has increased in recent decades. During childbirth, complications may occur that may put the woman and/or child in danger. To experience such situations may be traumatic for the father, as well as may increase his risk of childbirth-related mental illness during the postpartum period. AIM: The aim of this literature review was to describe expectant fathers' experiences of complications during childbirth. METHOD: We undertook a systematic literature review and meta-ethnography, where 10 articles were included. The search was conducted using the databases PubMed, CINAHL, PsychInfo and Medline with keywords and Boolean terms regarding fathers and birth complications. RESULTS: All included articles except one were qualitative. Eight articles were from high-income countries, while two were from a low-income country. The synthesis generated three overall themes Medical professional-father communication, An Emotional Journey and The Physical Environment with associated categories. CONCLUSION: When unpredictable birth complications arise, fathers may need additional social support. Child health professionals should reconsider how they support fathers, especially during complicated births, as a lack of support may lead to poor psychological mental health, feelings of exclusion and negative birth experiences. Greater efforts should be made to change medical professionals' attitudes and behaviors toward fathers so that they can better support their partner and have a more positive birth experience.
Authors: Martina Schmiedhofer; Christina Derksen; Franziska Maria Keller; Johanna Elisa Dietl; Freya Häussler; Reinhard Strametz; Ilona Koester-Steinebach; Sonia Lippke Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-21 Impact factor: 3.390