Fathers' expectations and experiences of antenatal education

Background: Fathers provide important support for the mental health and wellbeing of mothers. The Preparation for Birth and Beyond (PBB) resource pack highlighted that antenatal education (ANE) should address fathers’... [ view full abstract ]

Background: Fathers provide important support for the mental health and wellbeing of mothers. The Preparation for Birth and Beyond (PBB) resource pack highlighted that antenatal education (ANE) should address fathers’ concerns. Little is known about men’s experiences of ANE to prepare them for labour and birth.   This paper reports research that prospectively identified the needs, expectations and preferences for preparation for labour for first-time fathers and retrospectively determined the extent to which these were met.   

 Method: A qualitative study amongst fathers in four cities in England Jan 2014 - Jan 2015. Fathers were recruited via their partner’s contact with NHS maternity services. They contributed at two time-points: before commencing ANE and within 13 weeks of their baby’s birth.  Data were collected via focus groups or interviews, supported by topic guides, including prompts from the PBB pack.  The follow-up topic guide incorporated areas raised in the first data collection. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Template analysis identified themes.  

Results: We report findings related to preparing fathers for labour and birth.  Twenty-five men participated during their partner’s pregnancy and 19 at follow up.  Analysis identified four themes: acquiring information; preparation preferences; the specifics of information and its function.  We focus on the latter two.  The specifics of information included the need to understand processes of care and information about labour, including wanting information on potential interventions. This was important to reduce worry and concern for their partners and babies.  

Postnatally men recognised that not all eventualities could be covered. When interventions were discussed, men tended to feel reassured that everything was in place if required.  However, when ‘all they talked about when things went right’, men felt let down when interventions were needed and felt this would have been a useful addition to the course.  

Discussion: The midwifery focus is on supporting normal labour but the chances of intervention are high for first-time parents. Our findings raise issues about the content of ANE classes provided by midwives, including how we can best serve first time fathers.

Conclusion: Antenatal education provision needs to better meet fathers’ needs and should include information about potential interventions during labour.