The forgotten father in obstetric medicine

doi:10.1177/1753495X18823479

Review

. 2019 Jun;12(2):57-65.

doi: 10.1177/1753495X18823479. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

The forgotten father in obstetric medicine

A Kothari^{1

2}, K Thayalan^{1

3}, J Dulhunty^{1

4}, L Callaway^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Redcliffe Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
⁴ Medical Administration, Redcliffe Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
⁵ Department of Obstetric Medicine, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.

PMID: 31217809
PMCID: PMC6560841
DOI: 10.1177/1753495X18823479

Review

The forgotten father in obstetric medicine

A Kothari et al. Obstet Med. 2019 Jun.

. 2019 Jun;12(2):57-65.

doi: 10.1177/1753495X18823479. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Authors

A Kothari^{1

2}, K Thayalan^{1

3}, J Dulhunty^{1

4}, L Callaway^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Redcliffe Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
⁴ Medical Administration, Redcliffe Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
⁵ Department of Obstetric Medicine, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.

PMID: 31217809
PMCID: PMC6560841
DOI: 10.1177/1753495X18823479

Abstract

The role of fathers prior to conception, during pregnancy, and in the post-partum period has generally not been a key consideration for Obstetric Physicians. However, this view may need challenging. This paper outlines the key importance of fathers in all phases of obstetric medical care. We review the contribution of paternal factors such as genetics, health, and lifestyle to fetal development, pregnancy complications, and maternal and neonatal wellbeing. The role of fathers in complex care decisions during pregnancy is also reviewed. Postpartum, fathers have a substantial role in shaping the future of the family unit through encouraging breastfeeding and creating a supportive environment for motherhood. This review proposes areas for future research and recommends an evidence-based change in practice in obstetric medicine that focuses on recognizing the role of fathers in the pregnancy journey.

Keywords: Fathers; men’s health; preconception.

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The "Bad Father": Paternal Role in Biology of Pregnancy and in Birth Outcome.
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Promoting men-inclusive maternity services: exploring the expectations, experiences and needs of men as fathers.
Harrison G, Fitzgerald K, O'Leary P, Kothari A, Callaway L. Harrison G, et al. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024 Jul 12;24(1):477. doi: 10.1186/s12884-024-06644-3. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024. PMID: 38997650 Free PMC article.
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Castelar-Ríos MJ, De Los Santos-Roig M, Robles-Ortega H, Díaz-López MÁ, Maldonado-Lozano J, Bellido-González M. Castelar-Ríos MJ, et al. Children (Basel). 2022 Apr 30;9(5):648. doi: 10.3390/children9050648. Children (Basel). 2022. PMID: 35626825 Free PMC article.
"It's a lot of pain you've got to hide": a qualitative study of the journey of fathers facing traumatic pregnancy and childbirth.
Kothari A, Bruxner G, Callaway L, Dulhunty JM. Kothari A, et al. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 May 24;22(1):434. doi: 10.1186/s12884-022-04738-4. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022. PMID: 35610624 Free PMC article.

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References

1. Draper J. Men’s passage to fatherhood: an analysis of the contemporary relevance of transition theory. Nurs Inq 2003; 10: 66–77. - PubMed
1. Posner SF, Johnson K, Parker C, et al. The National Summit on Preconception Care: a summary of concepts and recommendations. Matern Child Health J 2006; 10: 199–207. - PMC - PubMed
1. Kotelchuck M, Lu M. Father’s role in preconception health. Matern Child Health J 2017; 21: 2025–2039. - PubMed
1. Magnus P, Gjessing HK, Skrondal A, et al. Paternal contribution to birth weight. J Epidemiol Community Health 2001; 55: 873. - PMC - PubMed
1. Centers for Disease Controland Prevention. Preconception care. Information for men, https://www.cdc.gov/preconception/men.html(2018, accessed 10 May 2018).

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[1] Draper J. Men’s passage to fatherhood: an analysis of the contemporary relevance of transition theory. Nurs Inq 2003; 10: 66–77. - PubMed

[2] Draper J. Men’s passage to fatherhood: an analysis of the contemporary relevance of transition theory. Nurs Inq 2003; 10: 66–77. - PubMed

[3] Posner SF, Johnson K, Parker C, et al. The National Summit on Preconception Care: a summary of concepts and recommendations. Matern Child Health J 2006; 10: 199–207. - PMC - PubMed

[4] Posner SF, Johnson K, Parker C, et al. The National Summit on Preconception Care: a summary of concepts and recommendations. Matern Child Health J 2006; 10: 199–207. - PMC - PubMed

[5] Kotelchuck M, Lu M. Father’s role in preconception health. Matern Child Health J 2017; 21: 2025–2039. - PubMed

[6] Kotelchuck M, Lu M. Father’s role in preconception health. Matern Child Health J 2017; 21: 2025–2039. - PubMed

[7] Magnus P, Gjessing HK, Skrondal A, et al. Paternal contribution to birth weight. J Epidemiol Community Health 2001; 55: 873. - PMC - PubMed

[8] Magnus P, Gjessing HK, Skrondal A, et al. Paternal contribution to birth weight. J Epidemiol Community Health 2001; 55: 873. - PMC - PubMed

[9] Centers for Disease Controland Prevention. Preconception care. Information for men, https://www.cdc.gov/preconception/men.html(2018, accessed 10 May 2018).

[10] Centers for Disease Controland Prevention. Preconception care. Information for men, https://www.cdc.gov/preconception/men.html(2018, accessed 10 May 2018).

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The forgotten father in obstetric medicine

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The forgotten father in obstetric medicine

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