Changing Expectations: Factors Influencing Paternal Involvement in Pregnancy and Childbirth

While studies have demonstrated that men are important to maternal and child health, expectant fathers lack specific roles in pregnancy and childbirth. In this article from the September/October 2012 edition of Trends in Urology and Men’s Health, Dr. Jermane Bond examines pathways to improve paternal involvement in childbirth and family health. Men and expectant fathers have until recently been excluded from pregnancy and childbirth. Retrospective studies have been largely reassuring that fathers play a vital role in child health and development; however, little is known regarding the role of the expectant father in pregnancy outcomes. Though, the little that we do know about paternal involvement and pregnancy outcomes suggests that paternal involvement can have a positive influence on maternal health behaviors during pregnancy.

Read it here.