First-time fathers' experiences attending labour and birth: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background It is now more common for fathers to participate in labour and childbirth in Iran. As such, it is essential to examine their experiences in order to empower maternal care specialists to meet fathers' and mothers' needs more effectively. This study aimed to examine first-time fathers' experiences attending labour and birth. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited 200 first-time fathers in Tehran, Iran. Self-reported data were collected on participants' experiences of labour and birth. Descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as multivariate linear regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Results First-time fathers' overall experiences were significantly affected by their partner's education, insurance coverage for hospital charges, pregnancy care provision by an obstetrician-gynaecologist, preparedness for childbirth and whether the childbirth experience fit the father's expectations. Conclusions Counseling programmes based on fathers' needs should be developed to improve their experiences, allay concerns and adjust factors that shape their experiences in order to encourage fathers' participation in labour and birth.