You cope by breaking down in private: fathers and PTSD following childbirth

Literature on birth trauma has focused on women's experiences and the evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth. For some fathers witnessing a traumatic birth involving their partner and/or baby, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder may also be apparent. In this New Zealand study descriptive phenomenology was used to explore the phenomenon of post-traumatic stress following childbirth as twenty-one fathers narrated their experiences of witnessing a traumatic birth. Four themes encapsulated their experiences: it's not a spectator sport; it's about being included; it's sexual scarring; it's toughing it out. These results demonstrate that some men are left with a negative emotional experience that has serious consequences for their relationships and families. Midwives should be aware that many men have ambiguous expectations about being at the birth. If fathers are witness to a traumatic birth, as they perceive it, they need resolution.