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M.Cur. (Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing) / The purpose of this study is to determine the experiences of parents prior to, during and following an unplanned caesarean section. Parents who experience this event have mixed emotions. The related occurrences may influence their behaviour and consequently their relationships with their spouses, themselves and their environment. These interact with each other continually and thus need to be looked at in context. The "Nursing of the Whole Person Theory' ensures a wholistic approach to the parents. Unstructured, in-depth interviews held with five mothers and five fathers, respectively, on day three post-delivery, were transcribed and analyzed. At six weeks a follow-up semistructured questionnaire was answered by these same respondents and analyzed. The experiences of the parents were then compared. A literature control was undertaken in order to determine what the conclusions of other researchers in this field are. The results of the literature search were compared to that of the present study and conclusions reached. Recommendations concerning nursing practice, education and further study were made at the end of the study, including a listing of the limitations affecting the study.