Perceptions of a Father's Role during a Couple's First Pregnancy

The objective of this study was to explore the first‐time pregnant couples’ perception of the father's role in relation to a pregnant woman's food and activity behavior during pregnancy. Eleven first‐time pregnant, cohabitating couples across the United States completed a one‐on‐one semi‐structured phone interview for the study. Couples shared similar expectations of a father's role during pregnancy. Fathers were also important in setting and achieving health behavior goals of the pregnant mother. Family and Consumer Sciences professionals might consider including fathers in programs for expecting mothers. Maintaining functional social support from an equally as motivated partner might improve health during pregnancy and after pregnancy as well.