First-time fathers’ experiences of parenting during the first year

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of fathers during their first year as parents to fully capture their experiences and transition to parenthood. Background: Becoming a parent for the first time has a life-changing impact for both, the mother and the father; yet the factors implicated in the transition to fatherhood have been under-researched.

Methods: In this qualitative study using an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA), 10 first-time fathers were interviewed seven to 12 months after the birth of their baby.

Results: Two super-ordinate themes were uncovered: experiences during pregnancy and fatherhood – the early days, which are supported by six sub-ordinate themes. Fathers’ narratives can be understood within the theoretical framework of Draper’s Transition Theory; early fatherhood represents the continuation of a man’s transitory journey, which starts during pregnancy.

Conclusion: Despite increasing public awareness and socio-political changes affecting paternal parenting culture, fathers still seem to feel undervalued and unsupported when it comes to antenatal support. The antenatal period is a critical time in which to engage with and support motivated expectant fathers; antenatal psycho-education classes can be adapted to accommodate the needs of men. The mental health of the man has an impact on the woman in the antenatal and post-natal periods; addressing the needs of men during pregnancy can function as an early intervention for his family system and could reduce the financial cost to health services in the long-term.