Fathers in the birth room: What are they expecting and experiencing? A phenomenological study

Objectiveto explore the role, expectations and meanings that individual fathers ascribe to their presence at birth.Designa Heideggerian phenomenological approach utilising in-depth interviews at two different time points.Settinglarge tertiary maternity unit in the North West of England.Participants11 first-time fathers accessed through hospital-based parentcraft sessions.Findingsfour main themes were evident: fathers' disconnection with pregnancy and labour; fathers on the periphery of events during labour; control; and fatherhood beginning at birth and reconnection.Key conclusionsbirth is the moment that fathers ascribe as the beginning of fatherhood. However, through their lack of knowledge and perceived control, they struggle to find a role there.Implications for practicemidwives are ideally placed to help fathers to find a role through parentcraft and encouraging participation at birth.