A tool to measure fathers’ attitudes and needs in relation to birth

Hollins Martin, CJ

Abstract

The aim was to develop a scale—the Birth Participation Scale
(BPS)—which midwives can use to measure fathers’ attitudes
and needs in relation to birth participation. The objectives
were to use the BPS to: detect whether fathers genuinely want to be present at the birth; identify localized perceptions and fears fathers may have about birth participation; and ascertain whether being present at the birth was a rewarding experience. A quantitative survey was carried out with data collected from York District Hospital Maternity Unit (UK). The participants were a stratified sample of first-time (n= 42) and second-time fathers (n= 36).
Measurements and findings: the BPS was issued at two
observation points: prior to birth participation and post birth participation. Difference in scores between conditions assessed the fathers’ attitudes towards birth participation in a positive or negative direction. Scores post birth showed a small shift in attitude in a positive direction for first-time (p= 0.01) and second-time fathers (p= 0.02) with only 4% finding birth partnering more difficult than they had anticipated.
Key conclusions are that midwives are facilitating the majority of fathers towards a positive birth experience. Implications for practice are that the BPS may prove useful for: identifying whether fathers genuinely want to be present at the birth; ascertaining fathers’ personal concerns in relation to birth participation; and tailoring birth preparation to meet fathers individualized needs.

Citation

Hollins Martin, C. (2008). A tool to measure fathers’ attitudes and needs in relation to birth. British Journal of Midwifery, 16(7), 432-437

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Dec 22, 2011
• Journal: British Journal of Midwifery
• Print ISSN: 0969-4900
• Publisher: MA Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 432-437
• Publisher URL: http://www.intermid.co.uk/cgi-bin/go.pl/library/abstract.html?uid=30463