Grand Rounds Presentation: Men in Prenatal Care

TFP’s Director of Research, Dr. Milt Kotelchuck, and Founding Director Dr. Ray Levy, in collaboration with Head Nurse of the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Obstetrics Hiyam Nadel, are presenting the findings from our Father Survey to the physicians and nurses at Obstetrics Grand Rounds Thursday morning, January 21st. This is TFP’s first step in disseminating our findings which we hope will lead to interventions that encourage men to be involved early in their children’s and family’s lives. The purpose of the presentation is to stimulate discussion about how the department responds to men’s presence at the obstetrics service and what changes can be made to further engage new fathers. Our preliminary research found that men want direction for how to support their wives and partners during and after pregnancy as well as guidance for their roles in raising their infants. The men eagerly took the survey and actively expressed their appreciation for potential future services.

A number of health issues also became apparent during our research. For example, 28% of the 401 men in our study acknowledged symptoms of depression. TFP is hoping to work with the Department of Obstetrics to initiate a depression screening for fathers that will lead to facilitating referrals to mental health services within MGH and in the community.

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