The implications of unfulfilled expectations and perceived pressure to attend the birth on men's stress levels following birth attendance: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Men's stress and their experiences of reproduction have yet to be fully explored. This study aims to examine the subjective stress experienced by men during their partner's pregnancy, at the time of the birth and six weeks postpartum by means of a longitudinal study of 53 men's reproductive experience. Further, it aims to examine the role birth attendance, unfulfilled expectations and perceived pressure to attend the birth have on levels of stress. Men were measured on the Impact of Event Scale three times during the pregnancy, at the time of the birth and six weeks postpartum. Findings indicate that compared to non-psychiatric norms, overall levels of stress were elevated during the pregnancy, at birth and postpartum. The highest levels of stress were found at the time of the birth in the men who were in birth attendance. Stress levels were particularly high amongst men who felt they did not fulfil their role expectation, or they perceived pressure to be present at the birth. Confirming findings from phenomenological studies, there appears to be some confusion as to the nature and purpose of men's presence at childbirth. Expectant fathers may not anticipate the psychological and emotional realities of childbirth/becoming a father and there remains a possibility that raised stress following childbirth may impact on father/child bonding.

Key Words:

• pregnancy
• male partner
• stress
• childbirth