'Would I risk it again?' The long-term impacts of a traumatic birth, as experienced by fathers.
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| Title: | 'Would I risk it again?' The long-term impacts of a traumatic birth, as experienced by fathers. |
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| Authors: | Charman, Clare (AUTHOR), Masterson, Ciara (AUTHOR), Russell, Amy M. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology. Jan2026, Vol. 44 Issue 1, p175-189. 15p. |
| Subjects: | Suicide risk factors, Anxiety prevention, Fear, Empathy, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Psychology of fathers, Psychological distress, Mental health, Marriage, Qualitative research, Fathers' attitudes, Interviewing, Masculinity, Psychological adaptation, Emotions, Anxiety, Psychological well-being, Help-seeking behavior, Parenting, Emotional trauma, Thematic analysis, Research methodology, Parent-infant relationships, Childbirth, Avoidance (Psychology) |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom |
| Abstract: | Background: Extensive research has explored the impact of traumatic births on mothers, capturing enduring adverse outcomes as well as post-traumatic growth. The literature on fathers' experiences of birth trauma is more limited and little is known of the ongoing impact. The present study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of attending a traumatic birth. Method: Semi-structured interviews were completed with fathers who identified as having a traumatic birth experience two or more years ago. Thematic analysis was conducted on eight interview transcripts. Results: Despite the time since the birth trauma, fathers described ongoing impact, which is captured in five themes. Four of these focus on the negative impacts: their attempts to cope by boxing away emotions, which they thought they should not feel; anxieties over having further children; negative effects on parenting; and ongoing distress or negative impact on their wellbeing. The final theme highlighted some positives from the experience, primarily a strengthened relationship with their partner. Conclusions: Traumatic birth can result in fathers experiencing difficulties beyond the perinatal period, whilst thinking that they should not feel or discuss their distress. As a result of a traumatic birth fathers can experience ongoing guilt and poor mental health, which may lead them to delay subsequent pregnancies. Most participants had not accessed support regarding the traumatic birth, instead coping by trying to avoid their memories and emotional reaction. These findings highlight the need for increased acknowledgement of the impact of birth trauma and intervention for fathers, during and after the perinatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Background: Extensive research has explored the impact of traumatic births on mothers, capturing enduring adverse outcomes as well as post-traumatic growth. The literature on fathers' experiences of birth trauma is more limited and little is known of the ongoing impact. The present study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of attending a traumatic birth. Method: Semi-structured interviews were completed with fathers who identified as having a traumatic birth experience two or more years ago. Thematic analysis was conducted on eight interview transcripts. Results: Despite the time since the birth trauma, fathers described ongoing impact, which is captured in five themes. Four of these focus on the negative impacts: their attempts to cope by boxing away emotions, which they thought they should not feel; anxieties over having further children; negative effects on parenting; and ongoing distress or negative impact on their wellbeing. The final theme highlighted some positives from the experience, primarily a strengthened relationship with their partner. Conclusions: Traumatic birth can result in fathers experiencing difficulties beyond the perinatal period, whilst thinking that they should not feel or discuss their distress. As a result of a traumatic birth fathers can experience ongoing guilt and poor mental health, which may lead them to delay subsequent pregnancies. Most participants had not accessed support regarding the traumatic birth, instead coping by trying to avoid their memories and emotional reaction. These findings highlight the need for increased acknowledgement of the impact of birth trauma and intervention for fathers, during and after the perinatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 02646838 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/02646838.2024.2346893 |
