"Reviving neglected abilities: men's participation in making childbirth pleasant": a qualitative study

The pleasant experience of natural childbirth is a fundamental right of women that significantly impacts the health and well-being of both mothers and their families. This study aims to elucidate midwives' perceptions of enhancing the pleasant childbirth experience through men's active participation.

This qualitative study was conducted using a qualitative content analysis approach. This study conducted in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 14 midwives and analyzed them using Granheim and Landman's conventional content analysis method.

The results obtained from the data analysis were categorized into an overarching theme: "Reviving Neglected Abilities for Enhancing pleasant Childbirth," which includes four Main Categories: "The Role of Men in pleasant Childbirth," The Importance of Men's Participation in Enhancing pleasant Childbirth," "Barriers to Men's Participation During Childbirth," and "Strategies for Increasing Men's Participation in Enhancing pleasant Childbirth," as well as several sub-Categories.

The study findings indicate that midwives view men's participation in childbirth positively, which can help service providers accept their presence. Promoting men's roles in this process benefits women and enhances family and community health. Therefore, focusing on male involvement requires international collaboration among health and social institutions to address barriers and create a supportive environment for pregnant women.