TITLE:
Knowledge of Fathers’ Support during Labor: From Arabic Fathers’ Perspective
AUTHORS:
Hala A. Bawadi
KEYWORDS:
Arab fathers, Labor, Support
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.7 No.11,
November
18,
2015
ABSTRACT: Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the kind of labor support Arab fathers could offer their wives. Design and Method: An interpretative phenomenological approach was used to reveal the meaning attributed by Arabic fathers regarding their support during labor. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 Arabic fathers. The analysis was done by using Smith’s model of interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) together with software package NVivo7. Findings: The analysis of the interviews illustrated the types of labor support offered by Arabic fathers to their wives. Three main themes emerged from the data: physical support, emotional support, and spiritual support. Conclusion: The support offered by Arabic fathers was in the minimal degree and missing practical support. Socio cultural issues and health policies prevented fathers from playing an active role during labor. There is a need to develop policies and regulations that enhance more inclusion of fathers in maternity services including the labor room.