The roles of the father during childbirth: the lived experiences of Arab Syrian parents

Paternal well-being perception during childbirth: Experience of prepared Chilean fathers after a prenatal education intervention

OBJECTIVE

To understand the father's lived experience of childbirth as a significant life situation within the well-being concept framework. To understand the father's lived experience of childbirth within the framework of the concept of well-being as a significant life situation.

METHOD

Secondary data analysis from a qualitative study about the experience of twelve Chilean fathers who were prepared to actively participate at childbirth from a mixed public-private health system institution between 2016-2017, was carried out. Qualitative data were extracted from transcripts of open interviews with eight of the twelve fathers after childbirth. Data were analyzed using an interpretive-phenomenological approach.

RESULTS

Four central themes emerged from data, which were framed and understand within the psychological well-being concept: I. Feeling as a part of the healthcare team; II. Perceiving himself capable of containing and supporting his partner and being a guardian of the process; III. Being committed to being a father from the first moment of contact with the child; IV. Being wrapped in a whirlwind of emotions.

CONCLUSION

Father's lived experience at childbirth can be understood considering the psychological well-being concept. Prepared fathers could live the childbirth experience within a state of well-being, focusing on their achievements, commitments, and being satisfied with their roles as father and partner.

How do women, men, and health providers perceive interventions to influence men's engagement in maternal and newborn health? A qualitative evidence synthesis

Globally, there is growing awareness of the important contributions men can make as key stakeholders in maternal and newborn health (MNH), and increased investment in interventions designed to influence men's engagement to improve MNH outcomes. Interventions typically target men, women, couples or health providers, yet how these stakeholders perceive and experience interventions is not well understood and the fact that women may experience these interventions as disempowering has been identified as a major concern. This review aims to synthesise how women, men, and providers perceive and experience interventions designed to influence men's engagement in MNH, in order to identify perceived benefits and risks of participating in interventions, and other key factors affecting uptake of and adherence to interventions. We conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis based on a systematic search of the literature, analysing a purposive sample of 66 out of 144 included studies to enable rich synthesis. Women, men and providers report that interventions enable more and better care for women, newborns and men, and strengthen family relationships between the newborn, father and mother. At the same time, stakeholders report that poorly designed or implemented interventions carry risks of harm, including constraining some women's access to MNH services and compounding negative impacts of existing gender inequalities. Limited health system capacity to deliver men-friendly MNH services, and pervasive gender inequality, can limit the accessibility and acceptability of interventions. Sociodemographic factors, household needs, and peer networks can influence how men choose to support MNH, and may affect demand for and adherence to interventions. Overall, perceived benefits of interventions designed to influence men's engagement in MNH are compelling, reported risks of harm are likely manageable through careful implementation, and there is clear evidence of demand from women and men, and some providers, for increased opportunities and support for men to engage in MNH.

Perinatal care experiences of Muslim women in Northwestern Ontario, Canada: A qualitative study

PROBLEM AND BACKGROUND

Although the number of Muslim women in Canada and northwestern Ontario (NWO) is increasing, few studies have focused on their experiences of perinatal health care. Extant research has highlighted discrimination and care that lacks respect for cultural and religious norms. These factors may limit access to health services and increase unfavorable maternal and child health outcomes.

AIM

To explore the perinatal health care experiences of Muslim women in NWO.

METHODS

A qualitative, descriptive study used purposive and snowball sampling to recruit a sample of 19 Muslim mothers. Ssemistructured interviews were conducted, audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically.

FINDINGS

The mothers' experiences were categorized into four themes: women's choices and preferences of health care providers (HCPs); attitudes toward prenatal classes and education; husbands' involvement and support in the birthing process; and challenges to optimal care.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The findings show that NWO Muslim women's experiences were generally positive and their care choices and preferences were shaped by their religious beliefs and cultural practices. Factors that enhanced their experiences were HCPs' awareness of and respect for the women's religious and cultural beliefs and practices. However, the women lacked personal knowledge of a range of care options and services. Respecting Muslim women's religious and cultural beliefs and practices will enhance their experience of care. Equity in access to quality services, care, and outcomes can be further enhanced if Muslim women are informed about the range of care options and services as early in their pregnancies as possible.

"Being relieved and puzzled": A qualitative study of first time fathers' experiences postpartum in Jordan

BACKGROUND

Although the transition to fatherhood is a point of attention for researchers, little is known about the first time father's postpartum experience. This study aims to explore the first time fathers postpartum experience in the country of Jordan.

METHODS

An exploratory qualitative design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample consisting of twelve first time fathers. The study was conducted in a public university in Jordan. The data was collected in 2017 and was thematically analysed using the colour and file index method.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed two main themes. The first theme centred around a feeling of relief which can be further divided into two sub-themes of self-actualisation and continuation of the family line. The second theme centred around the feeling of puzzlement, and this can also be further divided into two sub-themes of feeling unable to deal with a newborn baby and struggling to care for a recovering wife. The study identified fathers as willing to engage in the private care of their new babies and recovering wives but at a limited level of engagement. The fathers verbalised the lack of knowledge and exhibited sociocultural stereotypes related to masculinity and the role of the man in the family.

CONCLUSIONS

The first time fathers' experiences ranged from feelings of relief to puzzlement. The fathers experiences were shaped by religion, culture, and masculinity which suggests education during antepartum may enhance the experience.

Perceptions and experiences of labour companionship: a qualitative evidence synthesis

BACKGROUND

Labour companionship refers to support provided to a woman during labour and childbirth, and may be provided by a partner, family member, friend, doula or healthcare professional. A Cochrane systematic review of interventions by Bohren and colleagues, concluded that having a labour companion improves outcomes for women and babies. The presence of a labour companion is therefore regarded as an important aspect of improving quality of care during labour and childbirth; however implementation of the intervention is not universal. Implementation of labour companionship may be hampered by limited understanding of factors affecting successful implementation across contexts.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the review were to describe and explore the perceptions and experiences of women, partners, community members, healthcare providers and administrators, and other key stakeholders regarding labour companionship; to identify factors affecting successful implementation and sustainability of labour companionship; and to explore how the findings of this review can enhance understanding of the related Cochrane systematic review of interventions.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, and POPLINE K4Health databases for eligible studies from inception to 9 September 2018. There were no language, date or geographic restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included studies that used qualitative methods for data collection and analysis; focused on women's, partners', family members', doulas', providers', or other relevant stakeholders' perceptions and experiences of labour companionship; and were from any type of health facility in any setting globally.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used a thematic analysis approach for data extraction and synthesis, and assessed the confidence in the findings using the GRADE-CERQual approach. We used two approaches to integrate qualitative findings with the intervention review findings. We used a logic model to theorise links between elements of the intervention and health and well-being outcomes. We also used a matrix model to compare features of labour companionship identified as important in the qualitative evidence synthesis with the interventions included in the intervention review.

MAIN RESULTS

We found 51 studies (52 papers), mostly from high-income countries and mostly describing women's perspectives. We assessed our level of confidence in each finding using the GRADE-CERQual approach. We had high or moderate confidence in many of our findings. Where we only had low or very low confidence in a finding, we have indicated this.Labour companions supported women in four different ways. Companions gave informational support by providing information about childbirth, bridging communication gaps between health workers and women, and facilitating non-pharmacological pain relief. Companions were advocates, which means they spoke up in support of the woman. Companions provided practical support, including encouraging women to move around, providing massage, and holding her hand. Finally, companions gave emotional support, using praise and reassurance to help women feel in control and confident, and providing a continuous physical presence.Women who wanted a companion present during labour and childbirth needed this person to be compassionate and trustworthy. Companionship helped women to have a positive birth experience. Women without a companion could perceive this as a negative birth experience. Women had mixed perspectives about wanting to have a male partner present (low confidence). Generally, men who were labour companions felt that their presence made a positive impact on both themselves (low confidence) and on the relationship with their partner and baby (low confidence), although some felt anxious witnessing labour pain (low confidence). Some male partners felt that they were not well integrated into the care team or decision-making.Doulas often met with women before birth to build rapport and manage expectations. Women could develop close bonds with their doulas (low confidence). Foreign-born women in high-income settings may appreciate support from community-based doulas to receive culturally-competent care (low confidence).Factors affecting implementation included health workers and women not recognising the benefits of companionship, lack of space and privacy, and fearing increased risk of infection (low confidence). Changing policies to allow companionship and addressing gaps between policy and practice were thought to be important (low confidence). Some providers were resistant to or not well trained on how to use companions, and this could lead to conflict. Lay companions were often not integrated into antenatal care, which may cause frustration (low confidence).We compared our findings from this synthesis to the companionship programmes/approaches assessed in Bohren's review of effectiveness. We found that most of these programmes did not appear to address these key features of labour companionship.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We have high or moderate confidence in the evidence contributing to several of these review findings. Further research, especially in low- and middle-income settings and with different cadres of healthcare providers, could strengthen the evidence for low- or very low-confidence findings. Ahead of implementation of labour companionship, researchers and programmers should consider factors that may affect implementation, including training content and timing for providers, women and companions; physical structure of the labour ward; specifying clear roles for companions and providers; integration of companions; and measuring the impact of companionship on women's experiences of care. Implementation research or studies conducted on labour companionship should include a qualitative component to evaluate the process and context of implementation, in order to better interpret results and share findings across contexts.

Padre preparado y comprometido en su rol de acompañante durante el proceso de parto

Objetivo: identificar las necesidades de preparación del padre acompañante para brindar apoyo a su pareja durante el proceso de parto. Método: metodología cualitativa: investigación-acción con la participación de doce padres y sus parejas, con quienes se exploraron las necesidades educativas por medio de grupos focales y entrevistas estructuradas. Se desarrolló, implementó y evaluó la preparación antenatal del padre en su rol de acompañante durante los años 2015 y 2016. Resultados: una expectativa que se constituyó en un gran tema emergente fue “conocer más acerca del proceso de parto” y “estar ahí con ella y para ella”, como beneficio para su rol de acompañante preparado y sensible a las necesidades de la mujer. Conclusión: es indispensable considerar estrategias que fortalezcan el rol del padre y aumenten sus competencias para la integración, empoderamiento y acompañamiento durante el proceso de parto.

The role of fathers during pregnancy: A qualitative exploration of Arabic fathers' beliefs

OBJECTIVE

to gain a deeper understanding of Arabic fathers' involvement in maternity care during their wives' pregnancy, and to give a descriptive interpretative explanation of their lived experience.

DESIGN AND METHOD

a phenomenological study was undertaken to understand the perspectives of Arabic fathers regarding their involvement in maternity care. In-depth, semi-structured, audio taped interviews were conducted with 19 Arabic fathers. The analysis was done using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

FINDINGS

the main theme of our findings can be expressed as 'the role of fathers during pregnancy,׳ which encompasses the degree and type of support that fathers offered to their wives. Four sub-themes emerged from the data: sharing of responsibility, compassion and attention, the father is the guardian of the wife, and prayer and supplication.

KEY CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

the study revealed the perspectives of Arabic fathers about the degree and type of support they offered to their wives during pregnancy. The present maternity health policies in Arabic countries need revision to allow for fathers' inclusion. The findings of this study may offer insight that helps stakeholders of maternal health programs to support the meaningful involvement of fathers in maternity care.

A meta-synthesis of fathers' experiences of their partner's labour and the birth of their baby

OBJECTIVE

to develop greater understanding of how expectant fathers experience their partner's labour and the subsequent birth of their baby.

DESIGN

a qualitative meta-synthesis. Data were search for in CINAHL, PubMed, Psych Info and SCOPUS.

SETTING

eight studies conducted in England, Malawi, Nepal and Sweden were included.

PARTICIPANTS

120 fathers with experiences of their partner having a spontaneous vaginal, assisted or surgical birth.

MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS

1st order themes were identified and subsequently grouped into seven 2nd order themes. Finally through a process of exploring patterns and connections seven 3rd order themes were developed which produced new insights into the men's experiences of labour and birth. This meta-synthesis revealed that most men wanted to be actively involved in their partner's labour, present at the birth and respected for what they could contribute. Men recognised that birth was a unique event that may be potentially challenging requiring a level of preparation. There were also men who felt pressured to attend. During the actual experience of labour men commonly expressed overwhelming feelings and inadequacy in their ability to support their partner. They particularly struggled with the 'pain' of labour. Midwives were subsequently identified as best placed to make a significant difference to how men perceived their experiences of labour and what they described as the life changing event of birth.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

the expectant fathers' birth experiences were multidimensional. Many were committed to being involved during labour and birth but often felt vulnerable. Being prepared and receiving support were essential elements of positive experience as well as contributing to their ability to adequately support the labouring woman.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

men's ability to actively prepare for, and be supported through, the labour and birth process influences their perceptions of the childbirth event as well as their sense of connection to their partner. Couples should be given opportunities to explore expectations and how these may influence their own construction of their role during the birth process. While the role of expectant fathers in labour and birth should be facilitated and supported arguably their wish not to participate should be afforded the same respect.

Male involvement during pregnancy and childbirth: men's perceptions, practices and experiences during the care for women who developed childbirth complications in Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Background

Development of appropriate interventions to increase male involvement in pregnancy and childbirth is vital to strategies for improving health outcomes of women with obstetric complications. The objective was to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences of male involvement in their partners’ healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth. The findings might inform interventions for increasing men’s involvement in reproductive health issues.

Methods

We conducted 16 in-depth interviews with men who came to the hospital to attend to their spouses/partners admitted to Mulago National Referral Hospital. All the spouses/partners had developed severe obstetric complications and were admitted in the high dependency unit. We sought to obtain detailed descriptions of men’s experiences, their perception of an ideal “father” and the challenges in achieving this ideal status. We also assessed perceived strategies for increasing male participation in their partners’ healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth. Data was analyzed by content analysis.

Results

The identified themes were: Men have different descriptions of their relationships; responsibility was an obligation; ideal fathers provide support to mothers during childbirth; the health system limits male involvement in childbirth; men have no clear roles during childbirth, and exclusion and alienation in the hospital environment. The men described qualities of the ideal father as one who was available, easily reached, accessible and considerate. Most men were willing to learn about their expected roles during childbirth and were eager to support their partners/wives/spouses during this time. However, they identified personal, relationship, family and community factors as barriers to their involvement. They found the health system unwelcoming, intimidating and unsupportive. Suggestions to improve men’s involvement include creating more awareness for fathers, male-targeted antenatal education and support, and changing provider attitudes.

Conclusions

This study generates information on perceived roles, expectations, experiences and challenges faced by men who wish to be involved in maternal health issues, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth. There is discord between the policy and practice on male involvement in pregnancy and childbirth. Health system factors that are critical to promoting male involvement in women’s health issues during pregnancy and childbirth need to be addressed.