Fathers' Mental Health Can Affect Babies' Birth, Causing Negative Health Concerns

The latest research revealed that the fathers' mental health could result in a higher risk of preterm birth. Children could likely develop neurodevelopmental conditions or poor health conditions.

Understanding the impact of fathers' mental health is essential to the development of babies, and poor mental health conditions could lead to adverse health outcomes.

According to research published in PLOS Medicine, parents' mental health can increase the possible risk of preterm birth. Both should have good mental health conditions to ensure the child's health.

The research is vital to highlight the fathers' mental health, as most studies have focused on the mother's side.

Impact of poor mental health and risk of preterm birth

(Photo : by CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images)
A new-born baby. The latest research showed that fathers' mental health can increase the risk of preterm birth, resulting in poor health outcomes for children in the future.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported preterm birth refers to babies born before 37 weeks due to potential medical reasons, complications, chronic conditions and infections.

The WHO recorded about 13.4 million preterm babies in 2020.

Preterm birth complications could result in the potential death of babies.

According to PLOS Medicine research and The Conversation, the study looked into 1.5 million infant data from 1997 to 2016, with psychiatric diagnoses from the National Patient Register.

The researchers found that preterm birth risk could increase if parents suffer from mental illnesses, which risks increased by 52%.

When the mother has a mental illness history, the preterm birth risk increased by 31%.

Meanwhile, stress-related mental health disorders could likely increase preterm birth, which is a 47% risk for mothers and a 23% risk for fathers.

Furthermore, maternal stress also accounted for a high risk for preterm birth. As a result, supportive fathers and healthy mother pregnancy are essential to avoid potential preterm birth.

Preventing possible preterm births

While other reasons exist for preterm births, mental illnesses can increase the risks. The WHO noted the importance of healthy pregnancy for the well-being of babies.

The role of fathers and families is essential to support mothers during pregnancy. It is best to avoid possible distressing situations that could result in maternal stress. Both couples should be open to one concern.

Furthermore, parents or couples should also consider guidance counseling and peer support if they experience a difficult situation.

Mothers should eat healthy food and diet by avoiding food or drinks harmful to babies. Regular medical checks and ultrasounds are essential to your baby's overall health.

Understanding depression among fathers

According to Pregnancy Birth and Baby, fathers can also experience possible depressing situations before or after the pregnancy.

Understanding and early detection of depression help prevent the long-term impact on the children and family.

The report explained that some depression could occur when they have no emotional support, a poor relationship with their wife or a traumatic experience.

In the research published in the National Library of Medicine, postpartum depression in men requires immediate therapy and interventions because it affects the family and children.

Also Read: Climate Change: Extreme Heat Increases Mental Health Issues

Did you know?

According to Mayo Clinic, the experience of depression among men could become undiagnosed because of resistance to treatment and ignoring the symptoms. Some signs are abusive behavior, overconsumption of alcohol or use of drugs.