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Fathers' experience of childbirth when non-progressive labour occurs and augmentation is established. A qualitative
Kirsten Hasman1, Hanne Kjaergaard2, Bente Appel Esbensen3
1Women's and Children's Health Research Unit, Juliane Marie Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark; Metropolitan University College, Denmark; Nursing and Health Science Research Unit, Glostrup University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Objective:
Augmentation with oxytocin during labour has increased in Western obstetrics over the last few decades. The aim of this study was to describe how fathers experienced childbirth when non-progressive labour occurred and augmentation was established.
Method:
A qualitative descriptive design. Ten fathers were interviewed 4-15 weeks post partum. The interviews were semi-structured and were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis.
Results:
The analysis revealed three themes and four sub-themes. The themes were: (1) A rational approach to own role, (2) Labour and birth as uncontrollable processes and (3) Relief about the decision of augmentation. The fathers had a rational approach and felt powerless when the process of labour was uncontrollable. They felt they were not able to help their partners in pain when non-progressive labour occurred. They experienced relief when augmentation was established because of the subsequent progression of labour, and because it was then easier to find a role as a helper.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates that fathers feel relieved when augumentation is established. In addition, the study underlines that fathers, in order to regain control after experiencing the non-progressive labour, need directions from the midwives to carry out appropriate and usefull tasks.
