Family life starts at home : Fathers' experiences of a newly implemented Swedish home-based postnatal care model - an interview study

• OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe fathers' experiences of a newly implemented Swedish home-based postnatal care model.DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted as a part of a larger study.SETTING: Families who qualified to be discharged early were offered to participate in a postnatal home-based model of midwifery care by a hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS: In total, 16 fathers participated in a semi-structured telephone interview, averaging 43 min. Data were analyzed using systematic text condensation.FINDINGS: Three major themes emerged: To decide on home- or hospital-based postnatal care - a matter of safety, To be offered professional midwifery postnatal support at home, and To be at home helped fathers to navigate parenthood. Fathers appreciated the home-based postnatal care and felt safe because of the received professional support from midwives.KEY CONCLUSIONS: Home-based postnatal care was valued by fathers whose partner had a non-complicated vaginal birth because they felt safe in their home environment and supported by midwives. The home environment aided fathers in supporting their partners and developing a father-infant bond.IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Home-based postnatal care was valued by fathers and should be considered an option for new families. To offer home-based postnatal care may result in less overcrowded postnatal wards. Midwives need to enable fathers' participation and support their parental role regardless of where the care takes place.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Childbirth

Experiences

Fathers

Home-based care

Midwives

Postnatal care

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)