The perception of obstetric healthcare workers to the partners' presence in the operating room-a phenomenological study

Objective: It is current practice in our setting to not admit a partner in theatre during cesarean section (CS) even though this is becoming commonplace in various countries. This study is designed to determine the views of healthcare workers, postpartum mothers and their accompanying partners on having a partner present in the operating roon (OR) during an elective CS at Port of Spain General Hospital, Trinidad, West Indies. Materials and Methods: The study's theoretical model was based on a constructionist, interpretivist framework as well as phenomenological research. A semi-structured interview was conducted and a thematic approach was used to develop codes. This was analyzed by Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA miner) software and the following themes emerged: 'Maternal support'; 'Fathers' marginalization'; 'Nurses' perception of fathers' role'; 'Healthcare workers' perception of litigation and 'Limiting factors'. Results: 70% of respondents were in favor of a partner being present in the operating room for an elective CS and thought it would help to keep the mother at ease by allowing her to hold hands with the partner, talk to them and be accompanied by them to the recovery room. Healthcare workers did think that male partners might not have much of an impact in the operating room as they would not know what to do and may actually pose a security threat if things did not go exactly as planned. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals were neutral about partners being present in the operating room but had concerns regarding partner's presence in the operating room.