Introduction
The perinatal period extends from the early conception stage to weeks post-childbirth. The perinatal period is highly decisive in the life of every expectant woman, during which the maternal body undergoes tremendous changes, physically and emotionally. Though the female body only can hold the baby, pregnancy is a collective responsibility for both partners. The perinatal period contributes greatly to the baby’s development, and at the same time, it molds the expectant women to prepare themselves for motherhood. Strong emotional and mental support throughout the perinatal period for expectant women aids them in having a favorable birthing experience.
How Does Paternal Involvement Influence the Perinatal Period?
Pregnancy entails equivalent responsibilities for the couples. Active participation of the co-partner throughout the perinatal period elevates the mental strength of the expectant woman and enhances the expectant woman’s emotional balance. For the maternal body to be healthy and disease-free, it is imperative to keep their mind free of stress and anxiety. Emotional support from the expectant woman’s husband is a prerequisite to ensure the mental stability and strength required to cope with the hardships during childbirth.
Throughout the pregnancy, there are marked fluctuations in the bodily hormone levels, often resulting in undesirable mood swings. Proper understanding and caring from the paternal side help expectant women to remain emotionally and mentally stable despite the oscillating hormone balance.
Numerous studies and clinical trials were conducted to expose the significance of paternal involvement, typically during the perinatal period. It was unequivocally proven that paternal presence, support, and active involvement in the perinatal period enhance the pregnancy outcome. The incidences of pregnancy-related complications were reported to be minimal in expectant women who received immense support from their partners throughout the perinatal period compared to expectant women whom their partners did not support. Reports of low birth weight babies (babies with body weight falling below the average normal range), stunted growth (inability to achieve normal growth), and preterm birth (baby delivered much before the intended date leading to prematurity) flagged a dramatic decline in women with enhanced paternal support.
Maternal mental state during the perinatal period is often reflected in the baby’s mental and physical development. Paternal involvement and understanding are critical determinants in keeping expectant women happy and content, eventually influencing and enhancing the baby’s growth and cognitive outcomes. Paternal involvement also facilitates breastfeeding initiation in new mothers. It is also proven that paternal involvement remarkably collapses the risk of developing postpartum depression (a mental state of unexplainable sadness that follows childbirth) and postpartum blues (depressed mood elicited in a week following childbirth). Expectant women who receive proper care and attention from their husbands during pregnancy are less susceptible to developing these psychological issues.
Paternal involvement also enhances the intimacy and bonding among the couple, thus facilitating marital contentment and gratification. New mothers often encounter drastic alterations in their routine activities and physical appearance after childbirth. Proper support from the husband is imperative to bring them back into their energetic phase of life.
Active paternal involvement aids in molding certain detrimental habits in expectant women, like alcohol intake, smoking, and usage of other drugs. These habits can impair the baby’s development in the womb and potentially result in certain health complications and even death. Such habits need to be ceased during the perinatal period to ensure the baby's safety in the womb. Paternal support for the expectant women to get themselves unhooked from these deleterious habits facilitates the de-addiction process and checks intentional harm to the fetus (baby in the womb).
How Husbands Can Be Actively Involved in Perinatal Care?
Active involvement from the paternal side is highly influential for maternal and baby health. However, certain partners need clarification about how to offer support and get involved in perinatal care. There are various ways in which a husband can extend their involvement to the woman who is bearing their child. Some of the strategies for paternal involvement include the following:
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Accompanying the expectant women throughout the pregnancy itself offers great strength and confidence for the woman. The husband can assist them during periodic hospital visits and other routine check-ups, giving the expectant women a secure feeling.
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Proper understanding from the partner concerning the challenges and discomfort associated with the pregnancy, particularly in the initial three months of conception, helps the woman deal with it. The presence and caring from the partner's side keep the expectant women happy and ease their discomfort.
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The husband can actively engage in their perinatal care by rendering emotional support to expectant women. Recently, many hospitals have allowed expectant women to accompany their partners during labor and childbirth. The paternal presence can potentially facilitate a great birthing experience for both partners as it can instigate shared responsibility and engagement in childbirth.
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The future father can comfort their expectant women by understanding their likes and dislikes. Comforting is another way of paternal involvement, which offers a sense of tranquility for pregnant women. The future fathers' financial support reduces maternal mental stress and enhances their general well-being.
What Are the Constraints on Paternal Involvement in Perinatal Care?
Even in this modern era, there are still unscientific notions concerning pregnancy and perinatal care. Society always tries to impose certain traditions and customs that favor a patriarchal concept, where men are not intended to be involved in perinatal care. The gender-based norms often create societal constraints on paternal involvement, where the responsibilities assigned to both genders are often specific and distinctive.
Another key barrier is the lack of awareness and knowledge concerning the male population's need for paternal engagement in pregnancy. Gender ideology creates confusion and prevents them from gaining the significance of paternal involvement. Understanding the concept of gender justice, which entails paternal duties, makes them aware of the essence of paternal engagement in their wives’ perinatal care and helps them overcome the constraints.
Conclusion
The paternal involvement in perinatal care is a novel conviction that flags regional variation in adopting the concept effectively. However, there are clinical trial results that accentuate the need for paternal involvement and its associated strong points. Paternal involvement and support during the perinatal period gear down the possibilities for pregnancy complications and enhance maternal and child development. Understanding the challenges, rendering a helping hand, and helping expectant women get through these tough days can effectively bring out positive pregnancy outcomes. In addition, the paternal involvement strategy enhances the post-pregnancy life of a woman and helps them cope with the changes in their life together.
