Psychologic Involvement in Pregnancy by Expectant Fathers

Active involvement in pregnancy, namely the acknowledgment, acceptance, and expression of the emotions which pregnancy elicits, may enhance the expectant father's later parenting. The lack of a clearly defined paternal role, his cultural conditioning, and the matricentric view of expectant parenthood, possibly inhibit his involvement in the pregnancy experience. Research is needed to identify needs and stresses of expectant fathers and how nursing can best meet those needs. Our minimal knowledge regarding the dynamics of expectant fatherhood impedes family-centered maternity nursing.