Paternal experiences of pregnancy and labour

Abstract

To evaluate first time fathers' experiences during pregnancy and to compare labour experiences between three different modes of delivery. Fathers whose partners delivered at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital were given a questionnaire postnatally before their partners' discharge from hospital. Fathers rated their experiences of pregnancy and labour on a visual analogue scale. 142 fathers completed the questionnaire. Fathers became progressively more connected to the pregnancy feeling most connected to it during the scans and when feeling fetal movements. Throughout labour fathers in emergency deliveries felt more anxious, helpless and frustrated compared to fathers in spontaneous vaginal deliveries (SVD) and elective/semi-elective caesarean sections (CS). Fathers in emergency deliveries felt labour did not match their expectations more so than those fathers in SVDs. Health professionals should be sensitive to fathers' needs during their transition towards fatherhood and their role during labour should be assessed regularly.