An Analysis of the Couple's Emotional Experienceof Birth with the Husband in Attendance

Abstract

The present study was conducted to examine the significance of the emotions experienced by the couple when the husband is present at the birth. Semi-structured interviews both before the birth and at one month after the delivery were conducted with 25 couples who gave birth with the husband's attendance. The results were as follows:(1) Motivation: For the husbands, the major motivations for attending the birth were“to share the delivery experience” and “to share the moments surrounding the birth.” The main reasons given by the women for having their husbands present, were “to feel secure” and “to share the moments surrounding the birth.” In the majority of cases, it was with the initiative of the woman that the husband was at the birth.
(2) Expectations vs. Outcome: Both the women and their husbands replied that the experience had been as good as expected or better. They felt that the outcome of their birth experience was largely influenced by the support given by the midwives and staff at the medical establishment.
(3) Satisfaction: All of the women and most of the husbands were satisfied with their birth experience. Comparing the woman's self-esteem before and after the birth, a significant rise was found after the birth.
(4) Effect on Intimacy: Both the women and their husbands felt that the intimacy between them had increased after the birth and that there was a tendency for this intimacy still to be maintained at one month after the birth.