Highlights
- •Most of the first-time expectant fathers are afraid of the complications that could develop during childbirth.
- •Expectant fathers were afraid of damage to their partner’s reproductive organs and of their partners experiencing incontinence in the future.
- •The main reason for the fears of fathers were the negative stories heard frequently about childbirth from their surroundings and from the social media.
- •Not making the prenatal diagnostic tests for fetal health were also the cause of fears for the health of the newborn.
- •The fear of childbirth by the partner also creates a fear of childbirth in fathers.
Abstract
Objective
To determine the fears associated with childbirth among first time expectant fathers
and the reasons for these fears.
Study Design
A descriptive, phenomenological approach was used. The sampling was composed of 16
men who were first time expectant fathers, who were at least primary school graduates,
who were 18 years of age or older, whose partner was in her final trimester week of
pregnancy, who did not have any psychiatric problems and who stated that they had
a fear of childbirth.
Results
The data were collected under the two main themes of fears about childbirth and the
reasons for the fears. It was found that the expectant fathers had fears associated
with the complications that could develop during childbirth and with the health personnel.
Conclusions
There were various fears associated with childbirth among expectant fathers. The reasons
for the fears were mostly the negative stories heard. Health personnel have important
duties in defining and decreasing the fears of expectant fathers associated with childbirth.
It should not be forgotten that expectant fathers are also a part of childbirth in
antenatal education.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 23, 2020
Accepted:
September 21,
2020
Received in revised form:
September 15,
2020
Received:
August 5,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
