Fathers’ experiences of fetal attachment: A qualitative study

Abstract

Paternal‐fetal attachment (PFA) is associated with the degree of emotional support offered by fathers during pregnancy and has implications for the safety and quality of a mother's labor and postnatal experiences. This study explored fathers’ experiences of PFA including their understanding of the phenomenon and its manifestation. Data were collected through interviews with 10 fathers‐to‐be and analysis followed an interpretative phenomenological approach. Four themes emerged from the data: trigger moment; awareness of responsibility; transition to fatherhood; and emotional conflict. Most fathers experienced a trigger moment that made the reality of having a baby clear to them and which initiated or intensified feelings of attachment toward the fetus. Male family relatives, friends with children, and antenatal education groups provided support to expectant fathers. However, they felt quite lost in their role and some believed there was insufficient support for their mental health. Findings suggest that different situations can trigger the attachment process and that fathers longed to be included in perinatal care but experienced a lack of support. Raising awareness of the importance of PFA can help initiate the process in fathers and better equip them to contribute during the antenatal period and to future child development.

The influence of antenatal imaging on prenatal bonding in uncomplicated pregnancies: a mixed methods analysis

“…Whilst higher scores are typically considered to reflect a more developed bond, no optimal value has been reported [ 23 ]. A positive correlation between bonding and GA has been previously observed [ 72 ], and supports the theory of key ‘trigger moments’ throughout pregnancy to intensify the bond [ 19 ]. However, this implies that bonding is a linear process, which may not be reflective of all parents’ experiences.…”

“…After scanning, some parents remarked how the pregnancy felt more ‘real’ and expressed excitement imagining the baby in their lives. This may highlight scans as a’trigger moment’ where the bond is initiated or intensified [ 19 ], and parents are prompted to engage with their new caregiving role [ 51 ]. For some, the scan was an opportunity to learn the fetal sex, which further contributed to feelings of closeness to the baby and excitement.…”

“…This reflects findings reported in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic when partners were temporarily restricted from attending scans [ 25 ]. As they do not physically experience pregnancy, providing support through companionship is thought to be a key aspect of how expectant fathers conceptualise their role during the prenatal period [ 19 ]. Being unable to fulfil this role reinforces feelings of inadequacy, which can negatively affect the sense of connection to the pregnancy [ 62 ].…”

“…Prospective research is required to further understand parental experiences and the potential influence of MRI on bonding. Additionally, research exploring the paternal-fetal bond is limited compared to maternal studies [ 19 ]. As fathers and partners are now increasingly involved in pregnancy [ 7 ], it is important to better understand their perceptions, experiences and individual needs around accessing antenatal care in order for services to be inclusive and supportive [ 20 ].…”

Paternal Experiences of Perinatal Loss—A Scoping Review

“…Nevertheless, both maternity and paternity are complex processes that, in many ways, are still influenced by parents’ respective cultures [ 5 ]. Various studies have shown that, like mothers, fathers also develop affective bonds with the fetus during the course of a pregnancy [ 6 , 7 ]. These bonds are cultivated by the idea of the unborn child already being part of the family and known by both parents [ 6 ].…”