2006 Volume 20 Issue 2 Pages 2_64-2_73
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in the emotional responses of first time fathers whose primipara wives had been hospitalized for threatened premature delivery. The change in the subject's awareness of becoming a father, and their feelings concerning the pregnancy and delivery, from immediately following hospitalization to delivery, were examined.
Method
Data were collected using semi-structured interviews of three first-time fathers whose primipara wives had been hospitalized for threatened premature delivery. The interviews, which were subjected to content analysis, were conducted weekly immediately after hospitalization and through delivery.
Results
1. This study shows that awareness of becoming a father, and feelings of helplessness and alienation towards pregnancy and delivery, coexisted.
2. Until delivery, fathers experienced a sense of insecurity concerning their awareness of coming fatherhood. However, no relationship was seen between the degree of insecurity felt and the severity of symptoms of threatened premature delivery.
3. Even fathers who were making efforts to support wives had identical feelings of helplessness and alienation towards pregnancy and delivery.
Conclusion
This study shows that there are changes in father's emotional responses toward pregnancy and birth when expectant wives are hospitalized for threatened premature delivery. The hospitalization of wives has two discernable effects on husbands. First, wives hospitalization is a motivating factor which helps facilitate the father's positive feelings towards coming parenthood. Second, fathers experience a sense of insecurity concerning their awareness of coming fatherhood. This study suggests that it is significant for nursing staff to be aware of the emotions of first time fathers whose primipara wives have been hospitalized for threatened premature delivery, and to take necessary steps to support the father's role: to avoid preconceived ideas of the father's emotional state, to understand the feelings of fathers, institute schemes of communication to support the developing awareness of coming fatherhood, and facilitate the fathers participation in the pregnancy and delivery.
