Abstract

Objective: To understand the father’s lived experience of childbirth as a significant life situation within the well-being concept framework. To understand the father’s lived experience of childbirth within the framework of the concept of well-being as a significant life situation. Method: Secondary data analysis from a qualitative study about the experience of twelve Chilean fathers who were prepared to actively participate at childbirth from a mixed public-private health system institution between 2016–2017, was carried out. Qualitative data were extracted from transcripts of open interviews with eight of the twelve fathers after childbirth. Data were analyzed using an interpretive-phenomenological approach. Results: Four central themes emerged from data, which were framed and understand within the psychological wellbeing concept: I. Feeling as a part of the healthcare team; II. Perceiving himself capable of containing and supporting his partner and being a guardian of the process; III. Being committed to being a father from the first moment of contact with the child; IV. Being wrapped in a whirlwind of emotions. Conclusion: Father’s lived experience at childbirth can be understood considering the psychological well-being concept. Prepared fathers could live the childbirth experience within a state of well-being, focusing on their achievements, commitments, and being satisfied with their roles as father and partner. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.