Anxieties and care needs of fathers with multiple-birth children

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to ascertain the feelings of uneasiness that fathers of multiple births may have had during their wives’ pregnancy, labor, and post-delivery periods.
Method : For this study, questionnaires related to anxiety were distributed to ５０ fathers-to-be of multiple births, of which ２９ gave valid responses. Result and Conclusion : Of this number, ２６ were expecting twins, and ３ were awaiting triplets. Fifteen were becoming fathers for the first time, and １４ already had children. According to the questionnaire responses, the fathers were most worried about the safe delivery of their babies and the care of their wives during pregnancy. The support of the grandparents was considered indispensable due to time and cost involved, especially in cases where older siblings existed. In addition, the fathers felt they needed advice concerning pre-and post-partum childcare to make the difficult but necessary decisions. Based on these results, we feel it is necessary to provide sufficient information to new fathers concerning multiple birth pregnancy care and parturition resulting from sterility treatment. In addition to being present to support their wives, fathers-to-be also require support themselves, either from family members or other parents with multiple birth experience.