Fathers’ stories about the birth of their very preterm infant : influences on couple & parenting relationships

Abstract

The study explores the stories told by five fathers who had very preterm infants needing neonatal intensive care. Few studies have focused on the father’s preterm experience, and fewer have examined the interplay between the father’s distress and the couple’s relationship as parents. Individual semi-structured interviews were held with the participants. Thematic narrative analysis elicited the impact of the father’s distress on the couple’s experience of parenting a very preterm infant. Results from the data show that distress from adverse pregnancy or birth experiences contextualised fathers’ narratives of preterm birth. Issues of gender featured in themes of coping and support; fathers felt inclined to conceal their distress and prioritised the protection of their partners. The father’s distress and the couple’s relationship were intertwined, as those who endured their distress in silence reported a less unified couple experience. Parent-infant bonding was explored in light of the attachment needs of the father, revealing that fathers needed a secure base from which to explore the parent-infant relationship in the NICU. The findings shed light on protective factors for fathers, including the couple relationship, the support of pets and extended family, the use of technology, and positive relationships with medical professionals. This study highlights the need for a family-centered approach in Malta’s NPICU that focuses on the involvement of both mothers and fathers in the preterm infant’s care, and pays attention to dyadic-partner support. Recommendations for practice include the use of technology in NICU environments to facilitate parents’ proximity with the preterm infant, and systemic approaches to staff training and support. Suggestions for research and public policy are also brought forward.