Fathers' Experiences during Delivery of Their Newborns: A Content Analysis.
Christine Smith, Cynthia Pitter, Deborah Adedire Udoudo
PMID 38328009WHAT IT FOUND
Ten fathers in Jamaica described childbirth as empowering and bonding, but felt like afterthoughts.
They lacked rest areas, skin-to-skin options, and clear guidance. Midwives’ kind words made them feel welcome, while exclusion made them feel like hindrances.
Key findings
01Fathers felt empowered and satisfied but reported negative experiences including lack of rest areas, absence of skin-to-skin options, and feeling like an afterthought without structured support.
02Midwives’ acceptance and support, specifically using kind words and clear explanations, was the primary factor that made fathers feel welcome and included in the process.
03Fathers desired closer bonding with mother and baby but noted that the hospital did not prepare them for the prenatal process, leaving them to rely on self-directed preparation.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included only 10 fathers from a single hospital in Jamaica, limiting generalisability. Data collection was via telephone, so the researcher could not observe facial expressions or non-verbal cues. Participants were self-selected and all had spontaneous vaginal deliveries, so experiences of fathers in emergency caesarean sections are not represented. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have influenced hospital protocols and father experiences (e.g., PPE, restrictions).
Declared interests
The study was approved by the Mona Campus Research Ethics Committee. No specific funding sources or conflicts of interest were declared in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret this as evidence that including fathers in the delivery room improves maternal or neonatal clinical outcomes. This is a small descriptive study of 10 fathers' perceptions. It reports what they felt and said, not whether their presence changed the birth result.