Factors that influence father’s experiences of childbirth and their implications upon postnatal mental health: A narrative systematic review

To explore factors that influence fathers’ experiences of childbirth and implications for their subsequent postnatal mental health. Fathers who attend the birth of their baby often have very rewarding experiences. However, those who witness a difficult birth may progress to develop subsequent mental...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Nurse education in practice Vol. 65; p. 103460
Main Authors:	McNab, Emma, Hollins Martin, Caroline J., Norris, Gail
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2022 Elsevier Limited
Subjects:	Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Birth BSS-R Child Rearing Childbirth Childbirth & labor Communication Correlation Depression (Psychology) Developed Nations Educational programs Ethics Experience(s) Families & family life Father(s) Fathers Health education Health problems Infants Information Seeking Interpersonal relations Literature reviews Low income groups Males Maternal child nursing Mental depression Mental disorders Mental health Meta Analysis Midwives Narratives Parenthood education Parenting Styles Parents Parents & parenting Partner Physical Environment Physical Health Postpartum depression Postpartum period Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Pregnancy Psychological development Psychological trauma Psychometrics Qualitative research Research methodology Review Search Strategies Self Efficacy Stress Stress Management Support groups Systematic review Trauma United Kingdom > UK Father(s) Mental health Experience(s) Review Partner Trauma BSS-R Childbirth
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Summary:	To explore factors that influence fathers’ experiences of childbirth and implications for their subsequent postnatal mental health. Fathers who attend the birth of their baby often have very rewarding experiences. However, those who witness a difficult birth may progress to develop subsequent mental health problems, e.g., trauma symptoms that can affect future relationships with partner and infant. A narrative systematic review of literature was carried out. Two overarching themes were identified, each with 3 underpinning sub-themes: (1) Interpersonal relationships with maternity care professionals; (1b) Communication; (1b) Feeling isolated during labour; (1c) Being prepared; (2) The aftermath; (2a) Support provision; (2b) Effects on relationships; (2c) Psychological trauma. Findings emphasise that good communication between fathers and midwives is a fundamental part of providing excellent care before, during and post-childbirth, as it can reduce partners’ feelings of isolation, improve their relationships and limit development and impact of psychological trauma. It is important to develop more on-line partner sites, parenthood education programmes and support groups, which include education about how to prevent, recognise, support and treat mental health complications. Also, further in-depth qualitative studies would enhance understanding of specific aspects of labour that traumatise fathers.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-3 content type line 23 ObjectType-Review-1 ObjectType-Undefined-4
ISSN:	1471-5953 1873-5223
DOI:	10.1016/j.nepr.2022.103460