Fathers' care of the newborn infant after caesarean section in Chile: A qualitative study
Ana Ayala1, Kyllike Christensson2, Marianne Velandia3
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Division of Reproductive Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Ministry of Health, Women National Program, Santiago, Chile.
Insights
Fathers can be primary caregivers after caesarean section, fostering early bonding and shared responsibility. This model benefits parents and infants, especially when mothers cannot provide immediate care.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal care
- Maternal-child health
- Psychosocial aspects of childbirth
Background:
- Current Chilean hospital practice separates newborns from parents after caesarean section.
- Parental experiences and infant care immediately following caesarean birth require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore fathers' experiences and perceptions of primary caregiving for newborns in the initial 90 minutes post-caesarean section.
- To understand the father's role in a public maternity hospital in Santiago, Chile.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study using four open-ended questions from a larger research program.
- Analysis of written text from 95 fathers using systematic text condensation (Malterud).
Main Results:
- Two primary themes emerged: "understanding the first moment of life" and "shared responsibility for future family life."
- Each theme was further detailed into six distinct categories, providing in-depth insights.
Conclusions:
- Fathers should be supported as primary caregivers when mothers are unable to provide immediate infant care.
- Educating parents on the benefits of this care model is crucial, particularly after mother-infant separation.
Background:
In Chilean hospitals the current model of care after caesarean section is to separate newborn infants from both parents. The care of newborn infants and the parents' experience immediately after caesarean section requires further exploration.
Aim:
To describe fathers' experiences and perceptions of being the primary caregiver to their newborn infant during the first 90 minutes after caesarean section in a public general maternity hospital setting in Santiago de Chile.
Method:
The questionnaire was one part of a larger research programme named: "Caregiving Models after Elective Caesarean Section - Parents' perceptions and effects on infants' wellbeing". Four open ended questions were used to gather written text on the experiences and perceptions of 95 fathers who were the primary caregiver to their newborn infant. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee, Scientific Assessment Metropolitan Health Service South East. Systematic text condensation according to Malterud's description was used for analysis of the written text.
Findings:
Two themes were identified: "understanding the first moment of life" and "shared responsibility for future family life" with each theme divided into six categories.
Conclusion:
This study concludes by arguing that in situations where the mother is unavailable or unable to provide basic care, the father should be supported to care for the newborn infant.
Clinical Implications:
Parents should be made aware of the benefits of this caring model especially when mother and baby have been separated after birth.
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