Analysis of first-time fatherhood narratives in relation to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care within the context of one province in the upper north region

Abstract

Family and spousal participation in pregnancy, childbirth, and after childbirth influence access to services, the quality of antenatal care, childbirth experiences, and birth outcomes. This qualitative narrative research aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of first-time fathers in relation to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Participants consisted of 14 men aged 19-50 years who had been involved in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care as first-time fathers and resided in one province of the upper north region. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and semi-structured. A narrative analysis was performed. The results revealed nine storylines that represented the experiences of the participants as first-time fathers, including planning and decision-making in relation to having a child, father’s reactions to pregnancy, convenient, safe, and comfortable living arrangements, protection and nourishment of mothers for baby wellbeing, a month-long traditional postpartum observation, family and kinship involvement throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and child rearing, finding information for decision-making, adjusting to the roles as husband and father, and impacts of COVID-19 on pregnancy care, childbirth, and postpartum care. The findings warrant support from maternal and child health service providers in promoting first-time fathers’ participation in caring for their wife and child throughout different stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care and evaluation of the effectiveness of services.