to investigate first-time fathers' expectations and experiences of childbirth and satisfaction with care in relation to paternal age.
data from a randomised controlled trial of antenatal education were used for secondary analysis. Data were collected by questionnaires in mid-pregnancy and at three months after the birth. Comparisons by ?(2)-tests and Student's t-tests were made between men in three age groups: young men aged =27 years (n=188), men of average age 28-33 years (n=389) and men of advanced age =34 years (n=200).
the expectant fathers were recruited from 15 antenatal clinics spread over Sweden.
777 first-time fathers.
antenatal expectations and postnatal memory of the childbirth experience varied by paternal age. In mid-pregnancy, mixed or negative feelings about the upcoming birth were more prevalent in men of advanced age (29%) compared with men of average (26%) and young (18%) age (p