ArticleEuropean journal of midwifery2021
A dreaded delight: A longitudinal qualitative interview study of paternal childbirth fear during the transition to fatherhood.
Article in European journal of midwifery, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 10 citations in OpenAlex.
- Birthing partners - validation of a questionnaire to assess the well-being of support persons.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2025Article
- Perceptions of fatherhood and confidence regarding neonatal care among fathers of high-risk neonates in South Korea: a descriptive study.Child health nursing research · 2023Article
- A structural equation model analysis of the relationship between maternal fear of childbirth and expectant fathers' fear of childbirth: The mediating role of fathers' depression, anxiety, and stress.Brain and behavior · 2022Article
- A Comparison of Fear of Childbirth and Attitudes Toward Participation in Birth in Expectant Fathers With Primiparous and Multiparous Partners.American journal of men's healthArticle
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionChildbirth is a life-changing event where fathers desire being involved. As fathers take a more active role, fear of childbirth can arise. The aim of this study was to explore fathers' experiences of childbirth fear during pregnancy and after the birth of their baby.
methodsThis was a qualitative longitudinal prospective study that included 14 interviews with seven fathers, one during the prenatal period, and one follow-up interview after childbirth. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis according to Braun and Clark.
resultsThe main theme 'Being vulnerable during the transition to fatherhood' was based on the perception of childbirth as risky with threats toward the woman's and baby's health, not being able to give and receive enough support, unable to handle the unknown process of birth, and not being a good father. Helpful strategies for coping with fear were to talk about fear, to learn more about childbirth and techniques on how to handle fear, and to avoid dealing with fear. Fathers' fear of childbirth changed after the birth of their baby. Their thoughts of another childbirth did not evoke the same strong feelings of fear. Issues important for the reduction of childbirth fear were: receiving professional support, actively taking part in the childbirth process, and the partner having an uncomplicated birth.
conclusionsFathers with childbirth fear regarded childbirth as risky, but they expressed helpful coping strategies. After the birth of their baby, they became less fearful. Quality of fear-reducing support to expectant fathers may influence how they cope with their transition into fatherhood.
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