Margareta Johansson1, Petra Östlund2, Cecilia Holmqvist3, Michael B Wells4. 1. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, Uppsala SE-751 85, Sweden. Electronic address: margareta.johansson@kbh.uu.se. 2. Post Graduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing - Emergency Care, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Degree of Master of Science in Nursing & RM, Akademiska sjukhuset, Uppsala SE-751 85, Sweden. Electronic address: petra.ostlund@akademiska.se. 3. Cecilia Holmqvist RN RM, Akademiska sjukhuset, BB 95E, Uppsala SE- 751 85, Sweden. Electronic address: cecilia.holmqvist@akademiska.se. 4. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm SE-171 77, Sweden. Electronic address: michael.wells@ki.se.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe fathers' experiences of a newly implemented Swedish home-based postnatal care model. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted as a part of a larger study. SETTING: Families who qualified to be discharged early were offered to participate in a postnatal home-based model of midwifery care by a hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS: In total, 16 fathers participated in a semi-structured telephone interview, averaging 43 min. Data were analyzed using systematic text condensation. FINDINGS: Three major themes emerged: To decide on home- or hospital-based postnatal care - a matter of safety, To be offered professional midwifery postnatal support at home, and To be at home helped fathers to navigate parenthood. Fathers appreciated the home-based postnatal care and felt safe because of the received professional support from midwives. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Home-based postnatal care was valued by fathers whose partner had a non-complicated vaginal birth because they felt safe in their home environment and supported by midwives. The home environment aided fathers in supporting their partners and developing a father-infant bond. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Home-based postnatal care was valued by fathers and should be considered an option for new families. To offer home-based postnatal care may result in less overcrowded postnatal wards. Midwives need to enable fathers' participation and support their parental role regardless of where the care takes place.
OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe fathers' experiences of a newly implemented Swedish home-based postnatal care model. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted as a part of a larger study. SETTING: Families who qualified to be discharged early were offered to participate in a postnatal home-based model of midwifery care by a hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS: In total, 16 fathers participated in a semi-structured telephone interview, averaging 43 min. Data were analyzed using systematic text condensation. FINDINGS: Three major themes emerged: To decide on home- or hospital-based postnatal care - a matter of safety, To be offered professional midwifery postnatal support at home, and To be at home helped fathers to navigate parenthood. Fathers appreciated the home-based postnatal care and felt safe because of the received professional support from midwives. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Home-based postnatal care was valued by fathers whose partner had a non-complicated vaginal birth because they felt safe in their home environment and supported by midwives. The home environment aided fathers in supporting their partners and developing a father-infant bond. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Home-based postnatal care was valued by fathers and should be considered an option for new families. To offer home-based postnatal care may result in less overcrowded postnatal wards. Midwives need to enable fathers' participation and support their parental role regardless of where the care takes place.