Benefits of the Father's Involvement

An Active Role
It is important for a father-to-be to have an active role during pregnancy. The father-to-be can offer important psychological, emotional, and moral support. According to Plantin, Olyukoya, and Ny, "studies relating to pregnancy indicate a relationship between the father's support and the mother's physical health" (Plantin et al., 2011).

Health Benefits
There are many health benefits that can stem from a father's involvement during pregnancy. Plantin et al. point out that children born to a  family with an active father are less likely to be born with a low-birth weight. The reason for a low-birth rate is often insufficient caloric intake which is offset by the father preparing healthy meals and providing economic resources (Plantin et al., 2011). Being an active father can also have more immediate and obvious health benefits as well. For instance, taking care of chores around the house that your wife would normally handle can give her more time to relax and reduce stress. This reduction in stress and extra time to herself can help lower her blood pressure, reducing the risk of more dangerous health problems later.