Role of husbands during pregnancy and puerperium: the expected versus the actual

ABSTRACT

Pregnancy and child bearing are crucial developmental phases in family life they are often characterized by ambivalence and conflicting emotions as expectant parents face significant role and lifestyle changes. Everybody responds differently to the diagnosis of pregnancy. Quite often expectant fathers get bent out of shape over what they should be doing during the period of pregnancy, and puerperium. The current study was designed to explore women's expectations of their husbands' role during pregnancy and puerperium, further to compare their expectations with what was actually provided. The study was conducted at El-Shatby hospital in post partum wards, the subjects were hundred post partum women during the first 24 hours alter delivery. The data were collected using a semi-structured interview schedule which was developed by the researchers. Results revealed that almost all studied women expected their husband support during pregnancy and puerperum, and almost all women stated they need understanding and approval from their husband. An active, positive role of the husband increases the women sense of well being. From this study it's recommended to increase husband involvement in the care and support of their spouse, to prepare the husband to accept paternal responsibilities, and strengthen the marital relationship of the couples