Supportive father involvement during pregnancy can positively impact maternal and child outcomes. Father participation in prenatal care is increasing, yet little research exists to understand how mothers and fathers experience father participation in prenatal care and their preferences for father participation. We interviewed expectant first-time mothers (N = 22) and fathers (N = 20) to learn about fathers’ participation in prenatal care, perceptions of providers’ treatment of fathers, and preferences for father participation. Interviews were coded using principles of grounded theory. Father participation ranged from attendance at visits considered “important” (e.g., ultrasounds) to attendance at every appointment. Experiences of father participation varied, with many describing it as both an important act of support for the mother and part of assuming the role of father. Most participants saw great value in father participation in prenatal care as an opportunity for fathers to learn how to support a healthy pregnancy, bond with their developing baby, and share joy and/or worries with mothers. Participants generally felt that fathers were made to feel welcome and wanted providers to be inclusive of fathers during appointments. Results of this study suggest that father participation presents an opportunity for prenatal care providers to foster fathers’ positive involvement in pregnancy, support for mothers, and preparation to parent.

中文翻译：

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作为伴侣和家长：母亲和父亲对父亲参与产前护理的看法

怀孕期间父亲的支持性参与可以对母婴结局产生积极影响。父亲参与产前护理的人数正在增加，但很少有研究来了解母亲和父亲如何体验父亲参与产前护理以及他们对父亲参与的偏好。我们采访了初为人母的准妈妈 ( N  = 22) 和准爸爸 ( N  = 20)，以了解父亲参与产前护理的情况、对提供者对待父亲的待遇的看法以及对父亲参与的偏好。访谈是根据扎根理论的原则进行编码的。父亲的参与范围从参加被认为“重要”的访问（例如超声波检查）到参加每次预约。父亲参与的经历各不相同，许多人认为这既是对母亲支持的重要行为，也是承担父亲角色的一部分。大多数参与者认为父亲参与产前护理非常有价值，因为这是父亲学习如何支持健康怀孕、与发育中的婴儿建立联系以及与母亲分享快乐和/或担忧的机会。参与者普遍认为父亲们受到了欢迎，并希望提供者在预约期间能够包容父亲们。这项研究的结果表明，父亲的参与为产前护理提供者提供了一个机会，可以促进父亲积极参与怀孕、支持母亲并为养育子女做好准备。