Study seeks male perspective on traumatic childbirth

Mums' traumatic childbirth experiences have been well studied in the past, now a new study is looking at the impact on male partners. 

The research by the Western Sydney Universities School of Nursing and Midwifery (opens in a new window)Opens in a new window will explore men's experiences of labour and birth where their partners have experienced complications, required emergency intervention or the birth was traumatic in other ways. 

Of all life events, the childbirth experience is consistently described as a significant life event of powerful psychological importance in a couples lives, says principal researcher Dr Rakime Elmir (opens in a new window)Opens in a new window

"Although birth is a normal physiological process, it can be associated with certain risks to health and in a rare event may pose a threat to survival of the woman and her infant," says Dr Elmir. 

"This has the potential to impact significantly on the physical and emotional health and well-being of the woman, her partner and the family unit." 

Dr Elmir says traumatic birth experiences and the effects on women have been researched by several scholars; however, little is known about the effects traumatic birth experiences can have on men where their partner has experienced complications or emergency interventions during the labour and birth. 

"Each year 295,000 babies are born and fathers are present at the vast majority of births," says Dr Elmir . "Distress following a traumatic childbirth has the potential to impact on a large number of Australian men." 
The study will include tape-recorded in-depth face-to-face or telephone interviews, or email-based interviews with participants. The participants will also be invited to take part in a focus group, involving other men who have had similar experiences. 

"The research results will add knowledge and provide additional insights to the current body of literature on men's experiences of birth trauma," says Dr Elmir. 

"It's hoped the findings of this study will help create greater awareness among health professionals - particularly midwives and child and family health nurses - of the support needed for men following traumatic birth." 

The study findings also aim to direct and inform future research on men's health. 

For information on the study or to participate please contact principal researcher Dr Rakime Elmir on (02) 4620 3372 or r.elmir@westernsydney.edu.au.

This study has been approved by the University of Western Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee. The approval number is H9966.