‘As long as they are safe – Birth mode does not matter’ Swedish fathers’ experiences of decision-making around caesarean section

BackgroundDecision-making in childbirth involves considerations about both the mother and her unborn baby's wellbeing. For men the safety of both is paramount.AimTo explore and describe Swedish fathers’ beliefs and attitudes around the decision for a caesarean section.MethodsQualitative descriptive study. Twenty one Swedish men whose partners had experienced elective or emergency caesarean participated in a telephone interview. Thematic data analysis was used.FindingsThe theme, ‘Childbirth is Risky’, included “Caesarean birth has lots of advantages” and “Birth mode does not matter”. In the context of having experienced a caesarean section male partners considered birth mode to be irrelevant. The majority considered caesarean to be a quick and efficient way of giving birth which equated to being safer. Most men could articulate some risks associated with caesarean but these were mainly minimised. The second theme, ‘Simply a matter of trust: Birth mode is not my decision’, reflected men's belief that they had little to contribute to the decisions made around birth mode. The decision for a caesarean section was considered to lie with the medical practitioner.ConclusionMode of birth was regarded as unimportant. The recommendation for a caesarean section was readily accepted and appreciated, and shifted responsibility for birth to the medical practitioner. Involving men in the decision-making process by means of giving them information was valued. Men's limited knowledge about the risks of a caesarean may contribute to birth mode decisions. Professionals need to provide balanced and correct information within the context of individual circumstances.