Methods: The lead researcher conducted a series of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with fathers and family members following maternal deaths. Interview guides were used only to initiate conversation, with probing, clarifying questions growing out of subsequent dialogue as it emerged, in order to elicit as much detail as possible. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis.
Results: Using interpretive phenomenological analysis, we explore in depth fathers’ experiences during the weeks and months following the death of the infants’ mothers, including infant hospitalization, legal battles, and the struggle to adjust to life as a widowed father. Common themes were identified among participants, including relentless absence, regrets, guardianship, filling her shoes, and seeking support. This study highlights critical needs for support, as well as how those needs are met, or in some cases left unmet.
Conclusion: It is imperative that health care practitioners treating women during pregnancy make every effort to include fathers throughout the pregnancy, educate fathers as to the mother’s high risk health concerns, and be prepared to provide local sources of support in the event of maternal death. Practitioners should also be aware that support needs continue to be high throughout the infant’s first year of life. Extended family and friends may be involved in the infant’s health care in order to help fill the maternal role.