Effects of birth centre care on fathers' satisfaction with care, experience of the birth and adaptation to fatherhood

Abstract

As part of an evaluation of an in-hospital birth centre, 576 expectant fathers were randomly allocated to birth centre care and 567 to standard maternity care in the earlier part of their partner's pregnancy. A questionnaire mailed 2 months after the birth asked about satisfaction with care, experience of labour and birth and adaptation to fatherhood. The response rates were 99% and 94% in the birth centre group and standard care group, respectively. The birth centre group had more positive experiences of intrapartum and postpartum care than the standard care group. Attitudes by staff were assessed as more positive, the fathers felt they were treated with greater respect, and during labour the midwife was more supportive of their needs as partners. However, birth centre care did not seem to have any major effect on the fathers' experience of labour and birth, or any long-term effect on adaptation during the first 2 months. Measures of physical and mental well-being, experience of fatherhood, involvement in infant care and utilization of paternal leave did not differ statistically between the trial groups.