DID YOU KNOW highlights key research findings from a study or group of studies that reveal a unique aspect of fatherhood, capture something surprising about fatherhood, or that relate directly to a TFP program area.
DID YOU KNOW about ‘The Magic Moment’?
The research is clear about the importance of fathers’ early involvement with their children. The study below highlights the fact that “the magic moment” when a father becomes emotionally engaged to his child occurs earlier when the father is involved during the prenatal period.
HIGHLIGHTED STUDY
Walsh, T. B., Tolman, R. M., Davis, R. N., Palladino, C. L., Romero, V. C., & Singh, V. (2014). Moving Up the” Magic Moment”: Fathers’ Experience of Pre-natal Ultrasound. Fathering: A Journal of Theory, Research, and Practice about Men as Fathers, 12(1), 18-37.
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DID YOU KNOW that during pregnancy, the expectant father plays an important role in…the mother’s health? “More than thirty years of research shows that prospective fathers can offer their pregnant partner important psychological, emotional, and moral support (Early, 2001). Promoting men’s positive support toward their pregnant partners is essential because women with supportive partners have fewer health problems in pregnancy, and the quality of mothering provided to an infant is associated with the support the mother receives from her partner.”
DID YOU KNOW that during pregnancy, the expectant father plays an important role in…the child’s health? “Men’s support of their pregnant partner also leads to beneficial child health outcomes. Expectant fathers who engage in supportive prenatal behaviors are much more likely to establish a trajectory of future positive involvement with their families, and consistent positive father involvement has been associated with increased child and adolescent health and well-being, including improved social-emotional, and cognitive functioning.”
DID YOU KNOW that attendance at ultrasound appointments has a strong influence on engaging expectant fathers? “Ultrasound attendance by fathers contributes to paternal feelings of connection to the unborn baby and motivation to change behavior…In order to effectively engage expectant fathers at or around the time of ultrasound, prenatal care providers must examine the ways in which the clinic setting is and is not conducive to, and actively encouraging of, fathers’ full participation…Prenatal care providers could actively encourage fathers’ participation in visits and seek to support fathers as positive parents and partners.”
Are you a father who has attended an ultrasound appointment, or a healthcare provider who has worked with fathers at ultrasound appointments? Please share your experience in the comments below.