Men's place within antenatal care.

Area of Science:

• Maternal and Child Health
• Sociology of Health
• Men's Health

Background:

• There is a growing trend of male partners attending antenatal care appointments.
• Existing research on men's antenatal experiences primarily covers education classes and, to a lesser extent, scans and appointments.
• The role and inclusion of expectant fathers in maternity care require further exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the position and experiences of expectant fathers within the context of antenatal care provision.
• To synthesize findings from existing literature and current guidelines regarding men's involvement in maternity care.
• To provide practical implications for enhancing the inclusion of fathers in antenatal services.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on men's experiences in antenatal care.
• Analysis of current guidelines related to the inclusion of men in maternity services.
• Synthesis of research findings to inform practice.

Main Results:

• Men's engagement in antenatal care is increasing but often limited to specific aspects.
• Understanding men's perspectives is crucial for effective antenatal care provision.
• Current guidelines suggest a need for greater integration of fathers into maternity care.

Conclusions:

• Antenatal care services should actively facilitate and support the inclusion of expectant fathers.
• Practice implications focus on adapting services to better meet the needs and involve fathers.
• Further research can explore specific interventions to optimize paternal involvement in antenatal care.