Become a father: the experience of transition to fatherhood in prenatal care

Objective: To understand the experiences of men in the transition to paternity during the prenatal period. Methodology: Qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study. Theoretical sampling, with the participation of 10 men experiencing, for the first time, the partner's pregnancy. Data collection performed using semi-structured interview. Data analysis using content analysis technique, semantic categorization and inductive approach. Results: The theme of (de)constructing bridges for transition emerges from the data and seeks to clarify the conditions that favour or otherwise inhibit the experience of a positive transition experience by men, along the path to paternity. It encompasses seven categories support received, seeking information, previous experience with babies, feeling prepared to be a father, having a child is a life goal, meaning attributed to the transition and exclusion from the father figure. Conclusion: Men take a proactive stance during pregnancy and try to prepare for and overcome the transition experience, but encounter several obstacles in the process. What is required of modern man (greater sensitivity and exercise of a more responsible and participatory paternity) is not reflected in clinical practices, which perpetuate the exclusion of the father figure, weakening the exercise of paternity.