Abstract
This study was conducted to clarify the first one to one-and-a-half year experiences of fathers whose first child was a preterm baby.
The research subjects were fathers whose first child was born preterm 1-1½ yr. prior to this study.
For this inductive qualitative study, the data were collected through semi-structured interviews.
In asking for the fathers' cooperation in this study, the research objective was explained to them verbally and by written document. Additionally, it was explained to the research subjects that they would not be disadvantaged if they decided nor to cooperate in this study, that they would be able to withdraw from the research at any time, and that their privacies would be protected.
Six fathers agreed to participate in this study. The average age of the subjects was 38 (ranged in age from 35 to 44). The gestational age of the subjects' babies ranged from 28 to 33 weeks, and their birth weights ranged from 980 to 1,740 grams.
Fathers' first 1-1½ yr. experiences were classified into six categories: 1) concern about and wish for the life of their child and wife; 2) concern about their wife; 3) relief and excitement about childbirth and having a child without any physical defect; 4) concern about having a child who is different from a "normal" child; 5) beginning of bonding with their child; and 6) realization of their child growing up to be a "normal" child.
This research illustrated that fathers devoted their energies to protecting their preterm child when they felt strong anxiety about the child. Yet, fathers became more conscious of the need for child upbringing and discipline after they felt that the child was catching up with "normal" full term children.
