Men should be given as much emotional support as women in the run up to parenthood, a study suggests.
More focus should be put on dads-to-be during antenatal and other clinical appointments to stop them feeling ‘left out’, a review of evidence found.
Many new fathers reported being ‘physically and emotionally tested to breaking point’, experiencing bouts of exhaustion and postnatal depression symptoms.
But they felt unable to reach out for help on the grounds that they were not supposed to be the ones finding new parenthood difficult.
The academics called for clinical guidelines to be developed to give mental health support in the run up to – and shortly after – becoming fathers.
This would help them cope with the physical, psychological, and social changes in their lives during transition to fatherhood, they suggest.
Researchers drew on findings from surveys, interviews and focus groups from the UK, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, involving more than 1,000 men.
Some had a positive experience with no mental health repercussions, but most faced challenges, they found, which had a detrimental impact on their overall mental health and wellbeing.
Experts have called for clinical guidelines to be developed to give mental health support for men in the run up to becoming fathers.
Many new fathers reported being ‘physically and emotionally tested to breaking point’
Fathers said they ‘often felt ill-prepared for the exhaustion and new responsibilities’ prompted by the arrival of a new baby, which left little time for intimacy and quality time with their partners and that this ‘strained the relationship’.
They often felt excluded from the mother-child relationship, starting during pregnancy when they ‘felt like bystanders’, undermining their confidence in their ability to parent.
Other themes included insufficient tailored information or antenatal classes that addressed their needs during the transition to fatherhood as it ‘wasn’t considered important’, according to the findings published in the BMJ.
In nearly half of the studies, fathers particularly felt that they needed to be better informed on parenting in general, but especially breastfeeding issues to better support their partners.
The research team, from the University of Newcastle, say clinical guidelines should be developed for paternal perinatal mental health support and management.
Doctors, midwives and other healthcare staff should also ensure adequate time is allocated to acknowledge fathers’ wellbeing during perinatal appointments, they suggest.
They conclude: ‘By addressing fathers’ wellbeing concerns and challenges during the transition to fatherhood through the development of clinical guidelines on the management of paternal perinatal mental health, as well as effective practitioner/organisational engagement and inclusion of fathers, may assist in removing stigma and gender expectations that society still follows.
They add: ‘It is clear that fathers require equal emotional and practical support to mothers during this period, and therefore it is important that future tailored support is provided and that fathers are not considered a ‘forgotten entity’.
An NHS spokesperson said dads-to-be are involved in care in the run-up to births, as long as their partner consents.
He said: ‘Partners of pregnant women and new mothers who are themselves suffering from anxiety, depression or more severe disorders such as psychosis are automatically offered a comprehensive mental health assessment and sign-posted to professional support if needed.’
