The experience of men whose partners are hospitalized for high-risk pregnancies - a phenomenological study

Noftall, Alice (2000) The experience of men whose partners are hospitalized for high-risk pregnancies - a phenomenological study. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (15MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

From the moment of conception, up to the birth of the newborn, pregnancy is considered a time of difficult adjustment for expectant couples. While there is an abundance of literature on the experiences of expectant mothers during normal pregnancies, there is comparatively less known about expectant fathers' experiences during this time. Not surprisingly, there is considerably less known about the experiences of expectant fathers during high-risk pregnancies. This phenomenological study used van Manen's human science method to explore the question: What is the lived experience of men whose partners have been hospitalized for high-risk pregnancies? A high-risk pregnancy was defined as one that threatens the health of the mother and/or fetus. Unstructured interviews were conducted on nine expectant fathers in isolation of their partners who were at thirty-two weeks gestation. The analysis of the data led to the identification of four themes: (1) too early: protracted readiness; (2) dealing with uncertainty; (3) coming to terms with the unexpected; and (4) striving for a steady state. The essence of the experience was keeping the connection . The findings indicate that expectant fathers, whose partners are admitted to hospital for high-risk pregnancies, desired to be near their partners at this time and that this nearness supplements their own need to feel attached to the fetus.

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