TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of maternal nausea and vomiting in pregnancy on expectant fathers
T2 - findings from the Australian Fathers’ Study
AU - Sartori, Julie
AU - Petersen, Rodney
AU - Coall, David A.
AU - Quinlivan, Julie
PY - 2018/10/1
Y1 - 2018/10/1
N2 - Introduction: Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) are common. Whilst the impact on pregnant women has been well documented, there is less data on the impact on partners. This study evaluated awareness and impact of maternal NVP on expectant fathers. Methods: Observational study of 300 expectant fathers. Institutional ethics approval and consent were obtained. Fathers were recruited from antenatal clinics and community settings. Researchers administered demographic, attitudinal and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale questionnaires during the third trimester. Expectant fathers were asked if their partner experienced NVP. If aware, they were asked to comment upon the impact on their lives. Results: Participants were similar in demographics to those of the wider Australian community of expectant fathers. Most fathers were aware whether their partner experienced NVP (82%). Of these fathers, 20% reported no NVP, and 30%, 37% and 13% men reported maternal NVP was mild, moderate and severe, respectively. There was no correlation between paternal depression and maternal NVP, but a significant association was found between moderate and severe maternal NVP and paternal anxiety. In qualitative comments, five themes emerged: disruption on work, feelings of frustration and helplessness, concern over depression in their partner, concern for the developing baby and a sense of being manipulated in the third trimester of pregnancy. Discussion: Most expectant fathers are aware of NVP in their partner. Moderate and severe maternal NVP are associated with significantly higher symptoms of paternal anxiety.
AB - Introduction: Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) are common. Whilst the impact on pregnant women has been well documented, there is less data on the impact on partners. This study evaluated awareness and impact of maternal NVP on expectant fathers. Methods: Observational study of 300 expectant fathers. Institutional ethics approval and consent were obtained. Fathers were recruited from antenatal clinics and community settings. Researchers administered demographic, attitudinal and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale questionnaires during the third trimester. Expectant fathers were asked if their partner experienced NVP. If aware, they were asked to comment upon the impact on their lives. Results: Participants were similar in demographics to those of the wider Australian community of expectant fathers. Most fathers were aware whether their partner experienced NVP (82%). Of these fathers, 20% reported no NVP, and 30%, 37% and 13% men reported maternal NVP was mild, moderate and severe, respectively. There was no correlation between paternal depression and maternal NVP, but a significant association was found between moderate and severe maternal NVP and paternal anxiety. In qualitative comments, five themes emerged: disruption on work, feelings of frustration and helplessness, concern over depression in their partner, concern for the developing baby and a sense of being manipulated in the third trimester of pregnancy. Discussion: Most expectant fathers are aware of NVP in their partner. Moderate and severe maternal NVP are associated with significantly higher symptoms of paternal anxiety.
KW - Anxiety
KW - depression
KW - expectant fathers
KW - morning sickness
KW - nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85023769373&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/0167482X.2017.1344831
DO - 10.1080/0167482X.2017.1344831
M3 - Article
C2 - 28703034
AN - SCOPUS:85023769373
VL - 39
SP - 252
EP - 258
JO - Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology
JF - Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology
SN - 0167-482X
IS - 4
ER -