Overview of Transition to Fatherhood in the Context of Cesarean Birth

Cesarean sections have been associated with decreased birth satisfaction, but there is a lack of knowledge about paternal experiences and their effect on transition to fatherhood. This phenomenological study examined first time fathers and their transition to fatherhood following an unexpected cesarean delivery. Findings revealed "communication breakdowns" during the pre-delivery period, and that the positive or negative communication skills of the staff had a similarly polarizing effect on all the fathers' positive or negative perception of the birthing experience. Recommendations include enhancing efforts to improve education of fathers to limit knowledge deficits and potential fears related to cesarean section delivery.