Fathers attending the birth of their baby: Views, intentions and needs

BackgroundThere is limited information about fathers' views, intentions and needs leading up to childbirth. AimsThis study explores the factors influencing fathers' intention to attend the birth, and the needs and supports required leading up to childbirth. MethodsCross-sectional survey of 203 prospective fathers attending antenatal appointments at an outer metropolitan public teaching hospital in Brisbane, Australia. ResultsA total of 201/203 (99.0%) participants intended to attend the birth. The reported reasons included: responsibility (99.5%), protectiveness (99.0%), love for their partner (99.0%), the right thing to do (98.0%), desire to see the birth (98.0%), the perception that partners should attend (97.4%), duty (96.4%) and partner preference (91.4%). Some felt pressured by their partner (12.8%), society (10.8%), cultural expectations (9.6%) and family (9.1%), and 10.6% perceived adverse consequences for not attending. Most participants (94.6%) felt well supported, experienced good communication (72.4%), had the opportunity to ask questions (69.8%) and received an explanation of events (66.3%). They were less often supported by antenatal visits (46.7%) and by a plan for future visits (32.2%). Ten per cent of all fathers and 13.8% of experienced fathers requested better mental health support, and 9.0% prefer better clinician communication. ConclusionsMost fathers intend to attend childbirth for personal and moral reasons; however, a small proportion feel pressured. Most fathers feel well supported, although potential improvements include planning for future visits, provision of information, mental health support, clinician communication, increased involvement in their partner's care, the opportunity to ask questions and more frequent clinic visits.