Birth experience from the perspective of the fathers
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IMAGES IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
Birth experience from the perspective of the fathers Lena C. Vischer1 · Xenia Heun1 · Joscha Steetskamp1 · Annette Hasenburg1 · Christine Skala1 Received: 27 May 2020 / Accepted: 25 July 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Purpose As men nowadays often attend the delivery of their own child, they also have to go through the labor period. In this study, the condition of the expectant fathers attending labor was evaluated. Methods In 2016, fathers who went through labor with their partners in the University medical center of Mainz were interviewed within the first days after delivery and 6 months later. They received a “Fathers questionnaire” concerning their motivation, the valuation of their attendance, their emotions during labor, and concerning the service in the labor ward. Six months later, they also received the validated Impact of Event Scale questionnaire (IES-R). In total, 318 participants answered the “Fathers’ Questionnaire”, 226 the IES-R. Results Father’s attendance during labor was considered to be beneficial for fathers themselves (254, 79.8%), for the mother (272, 85.5%), for the newborn child (187, 58.8%), for the relationship (234, 73.6%). Only four could not see a purpose in their attendance. 73 men (23%) felt helpless, 47 (14.8%) were overwhelmed by the situation, 116 (36.5%) felt fear, 299 (94%) were happy to be present at birth, 27 (8.5%) felt traumatized by experiencing their partners in labor. According to the IES-R, none of the 226 men surveyed showed all symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Conclusion Childbirth is related to positive and negative emotions. Positive emotions are predominant, but come along with negative feelings. In this survey, posttraumatic stress disorder did not occur among men after delivery. Nevertheless, fathers’ needs should be kept in view. Keywords Childbirth · Posttraumatic stress disorder · Obstetric violence · Paternal emotions during · Labor
Introduction Childbirth is ideally the embodiment of happiness felt by the parents of a newborn child. However, delivery is a border experience in the life of a woman. During childbirth, a woman is at the mercy of this special situation, due to the nature of childbirth, including the experience of pain and sometimes the first confrontation with hospitalisation and medical intervention. As men often participate in the birth of their own children, this event represents a fundamental turning point in the lives of both, women and men. When a child is born, it will require both parents’ full attention. A major change takes place both in everyday life and on the emotional level. Transition to parenthood is ideally accompanied by many positive feelings. However, not * Christine Skala skala@uni‑mainz.de 1
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mainz University Medical Center, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
every birth is identical and uncomplicated. Many births are different from parents’ own expectations and wishes. When complications arise, promptness is often req
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