Positive Health Outcomes of Fathers' Involvment in Pregnancy and Childbirth Paternal Support: A Scope Study Literature Review

Abstract

This study reviewed the literature concerning the involvement by Europeanmen in pregnancy and childbirth and examined how this is related to healthoutcomes; for the men themselves, their partners, and their children. The studyalso reflects on the literature in relation to other existing research on men,masculinities, and fatherhood. The literature review support the idea that thefather’s involvement during pregnancy and delivery can positively influencehealth outcomes for the man, his partner, and their children. However, littlehelp is offered to the majority of men regarding parenting. It is therefore crucialfor the maternal and child healthcare services to develop new ways ofreaching out to men. In order to develop new knowledge earlier researchneeds to be complemented with a multidisciplinary approach where the existingresearch material, on social science regarding men, masculinities, and fatherhoodis also taken into consideration.