Social support during pregnancy and post-partum The father or partner's role in childbirth Suporte social durante o ciclo gravídico-puerperal Papel do pai ou pessoa significativa no parto

During and after pregnancy, the women undergoes significant physical, psychological and social changes, which require great adjustments. Being their social support, the woman's partner and family can help her adapt to her new life firstly as a pregnant woman and then as a mother. Childbirth is the moment most awaited by the mother to be; it is a moment in which she will experience countless emotions which could cause worry and insecurity which can have a negative impact on the moment. This is a qualitative study using a semi-structured interview and data analysis, with verbatim classification of the interviews to eighty-two Portuguese and immigrant women, supported by Nvivo 10. The aim is to understand the social support that the mother receives during and after pregnancy and understand the father or partner's role in childbirth. It was observed through the analysis of the results that the woman needs to feel accompanied, supported, helped, understood and valued by her partner and family during and after pregnancy. In childbirth, the woman need to feel accompanied, she likes to have a "friendly face", which minimised her fears and gives her a sense of security. In knowing the type of family support that the pregnant woman needs and the importance she attributes to the presence of a significant other during childbirth, health professionals can better understand and respond to her needs.