Expectant and new fathers say they need resources and sources of support

It is critical to exhaust the range of opportunities to reduce racial inequities in maternal mortality. Developing interventions to optimize how fathers can support mothers during pregnancy and childbirth remains under developed, particularly in the context of racial inequities. In this study, we collected formative data from expectant and new fathers to identify the types of supports and resources they need to promote positive maternal health outcomes.

We used a phenomenological thematic approach to analyze data from 80 new fathers in 10 focus groups from five of the six Alliance for Innovation Maternal Community Care Initiative sites across the United States, collected between November 2021 and April 2022. The majority (86.25%) of fathers were Black American and their average age was 33.9 years (range 24-61 years old).

Four key themes characterize the types of information and resources expectant and new fathers sought and wanted: (a) baby's development and mother's mental and physical needs; (b) financial needs and family planning; (c) navigating the healthcare and social systems; and (d) mental health resources for both parents. Fathers sought the counsel, advice, and support of a variety of people, but who they asked for support depended on the issue. Expectant and new fathers sought information pertaining to being a breadwinner, fulfilling the father role, being a supportive partner, and general information on caring for a newborn. Most fathers felt that the healthcare system and social service systems lacked information and resources tailored to their needs, and they were generally ill-equipped to consider fathers or support them.

Fathers sought information and resources to facilitate their roles as fathers and to enhance their ability to support expectant and new mothers. It is important to hear from fathers and to utilize their feedback to inform social service system changes and other organizational or institutional resources, programs, and policies to optimize their efforts to promote maternal health and to reduce maternal mortality. Expectant and new fathers needed better access to reliable, accurate, and readily-available information to prepare and support them in their new roles, responsibilities, and lives.