Searching: expectant fathers' experiences during labor and birth

When expectant fathers are present and view labor and birth as a couple experience, they are co-laboring in one of three roles: coach, teammate, or witness. Within these roles are various degrees and types of engagement. Men in the role of coach experience high degrees of physical and mental engagement. Teammates fluctuate between high and low degrees of physical and mental engagement, and witnesses remain at low degrees of engagement until the second stage of labor, when they experience high degrees of mental engagement. The expectant fathers' experience is influenced by the labor guides' activities of gatekeeping, leading, and informing. Men either maintain or redefine their role during labor and birth. Men who experience a sense of not belonging or who are uncomfortable with their role will redefine their role by using the strategy of searching for place. Searching for place involves the steps of identifying an alternative role, engaging in the new role, testing the role, and evaluating the effectiveness of the alternative role. Men who experience a sense of belonging in their new role will maintain this role. May posed the question, "Is it time to fire the coach?" This theory, which requires further testing and validation, does address May's question. Perhaps it is not time to fire the coach, as May indicated, but it is time to provide couples with options in the role expectant fathers play during labor and birth. This theory can guide nurses in relatively risk-free interventions for the expectant father. Nurses can assist expectant fathers in finding a place in labor and birth that will enhance a mutually satisfying birthing experience.