ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: to gain a deeper understanding of Arabic fathers' involvement in maternity care during their wives' pregnancy, and to give a descriptive interpretative explanation of their lived experience. DESIGN AND METHOD: a phenomenological study was undertaken to understand the perspectives of Arabic fathers regarding their involvement in maternity care. In-depth, semi-structured, audio taped interviews were conducted with 19 Arabic fathers. The analysis was done using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. FINDINGS: the main theme of our findings can be expressed as 'the role of fathers during pregnancy,׳ which encompasses the degree and type of support that fathers offered to their wives. Four sub-themes emerged from the data: sharing of responsibility, compassion and attention, the father is the guardian of the wife, and prayer and supplication. KEY CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: the study revealed the perspectives of Arabic fathers about the degree and type of support they offered to their wives during pregnancy. The present maternity health policies in Arabic countries need revision to allow for fathers' inclusion. The findings of this study may offer insight that helps stakeholders of maternal health programs to support the meaningful involvement of fathers in maternity care.
