Why Dads Are So ImportantWhy Dads Are So Important Dads play a critical role in the health and well-being of both their partners and their babies. Research shows that babies born to mothers without involved partners are nearly four times more likely to die than those born to mothers with supportive partners. The impact is even more significant in African American families, where babies with absent fathers are seven times more likely to die before their first birthday.
Having a dad actively involved during pregnancy and after birth not only improves the baby’s chances of survival but also enhances the overall health of the mother. Women with supportive partners are more likely to receive adequate prenatal care, experience fewer complications during delivery, and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors like smoking.
No matter your living situation or relationship status with your child’s mother, staying involved is crucial. Your emotional, financial, and physical presence makes a meaningful difference to your partner's health and your baby’s well-being.
It's also important for dads to take care of themselves. Regular medical check-ups, managing stress, avoiding risky behaviors, exercising, and eating a healthy diet are all essential. Keeping up with preventive care, including checks for sexually transmitted infections and regular dental visits, helps ensure that you’re in good health to support your growing family.
Explore these valuable resources designed to support dads and dads-to-be on their parenting journey:
- National Center for Fathering: A nonprofit organization dedicated to improving children’s lives by inspiring and equipping fathers to be actively engaged. Their mission is to create a positive legacy for families and future generations.
- Fathers Supporting Breastfeeding: This project targets African American fathers and emphasizes the significant role they play in supporting breastfeeding. This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase breastfeeding rates among African American women by involving fathers in the process.
Fatherhood plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of both children and men. Recognizing this, the National Healthy Start Association’s (NHSA) fatherhood initiative, Where Dads Matter, was developed to address the need for more inclusive approaches within Healthy Start projects. This initiative emphasizes the significance of father involvement, exploring its impact on maternal health, birth outcomes, and family resilience.
The NHSA provides various resources and programs to support fathers:
- Summit on Fatherhood and the Health and Wellness of Boys and Men: An annual event where experts share the latest research on fatherhood and men’s health, advancing fatherhood programs within Healthy Start projects.
- Core Adaptive Model for Fatherhood and Male Involvement (NHSA CAM for Fatherhood™): A training and technical assistance model that helps fatherhood programs focus on child well-being, life skills, economic stability, and healthy relationships.
- Fatherhood Practitioners Planning Team (FPPT): A network of practitioners supporting fatherhood programs by disseminating information, mentoring new practitioners, and organizing educational events.
- Training and Technical Assistance: Provided by NHSA to enhance fatherhood programs through the HRSA-funded Supporting Healthy Start Performance Project.
- Texting4Dads: A platform offering weekly text messages with information on maternal, infant, and men’s health to support fathers and improve overall birth outcomes.
These resources are designed to empower fathers and improve their involvement in their children’s lives, ensuring better health outcomes for families.
Visit the NHSA Fatherhood/Health & Well-Being website for more information
Co-parenting before your baby arrives can set a strong foundation for your parenting journey. Effective communication and consistent planning are key to a successful co-parenting relationship. Here are some tips to help you navigate this exciting time.
Co-Parenting Tips for a Successful Start
- Create a Parenting Plan
A clear parenting plan keeps both parents aligned. Include:
- Living Arrangements: Where will the child live?
- Schedules: How will you handle holidays and routines?
- Expectations: Views on religion, education, and social media?
- Communication: Sharing info with teachers and caregivers.
- Future Changes: Handling major life events like remarriage.
- Plan for Infant Care
Consider:
- Feeding: Managing breastfeeding when apart.
- Appointments: Scheduling and attending doctor visits.
- Schedules: Communicating about routines.
- Solid Foods: Introducing solids.
- Overnight Stays: Timing for overnight visits.
- Stay Engaged
- Attend Prenatal Visits: Go to appointments together.
- Learn Together: Read and take parenting classes.
- Bond with Babies: Get comfortable with caregiving.
- Address Legal Issues
- Pregnancy and Divorce: Check state restrictions.
- Legal Parentage: Ensure correct paperwork for parentage.
- Medical Records: Consent needed for access.
- Start Strong
Co-parenting is challenging but beneficial. A respectful partnership provides your baby with the best start.
Click to download the full Co-Parenting Playbook: Key Tips for a Successful Start
Traveling with baby formula, breast milk, and baby food can be straightforward if you know what to expect at security. Here are some helpful tips to ensure a smooth screening process for you and your baby’s essentials.
- Carry-On Bags: You can bring formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby food in quantities over 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on. These are considered medically necessary liquids and don't need to fit within the quart-sized bag limit. This includes cooling accessories like ice packs and gel packs. Your child doesn't need to be with you to bring these items.
- Checked Bags: You can also pack formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby food in your checked luggage.
- At Security: Inform the TSA officer at the start of the screening process that you carry more than 3.4 ounces of these items. Remove them from your bag for separate and additional screenings.
- For Faster Screening: Use clear, translucent formula and breast milk bottles instead of plastic bags or pouches. While your milk may undergo additional screenings, TSA should never open, test, or pour out any of the milk provided.
- X-Rays: Let the TSA officer know if you prefer your formula or milk not to be X-rayed. Alternative screening methods will be used, which may involve extra procedures.
- Cooling Accessories: Ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs are allowed to keep formula or milk cool. If they're partially frozen or slushy, they'll go through the same screening process.
- Be Prepared: Before you travel, take screenshots of the TSA Policy and Procedures on traveling with milk. Having these ready to go allows you to be informed of your rights while traveling.
Visit the TSA website for more information.
As you prepare for your baby, knowing the key terms related to birth and labor can make a big difference. Familiarizing yourself with these terms will help you feel more confident and prepared when it comes time for labor and delivery.
This section breaks down essential terms and definitions to help you navigate your birth experience more easily. Whether you’re discussing your birth plan with your provider or making informed decisions during labor, this guide will help you understand the language used in the birthing process. Let’s dive into these important terms to ensure you’re well-prepared for every step of your journey.
Birth and Labor Terms and Definitions
- Abruptio Placenta (Placental Abruption): The placenta starts to separate from the uterine wall before the baby is born.
- Amniotic Fluid: The protective liquid surrounding the fetus, mostly made up of fetal urine and water.
- APGAR: A quick test to check how well the baby is doing right after birth. It measures five things: Appearance (color), Pulse (heartbeat), Grimace (reflexes), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing). Scores are given at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, ranging from 1 to 10.
- Birthing Person: The individual who is giving birth. This term includes anyone who is pregnant and delivering a baby, regardless of gender.
- Breech Presentation: When the baby is positioned with its head up so that it will be born feet or buttocks first.
- Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD): When the baby is too large to fit through the mother's pelvis.
- Cervidil: A medication used to help the cervix soften and open before labor starts.
- Cesarean: A surgical procedure where the baby is delivered through an incision in the abdominal and uterine walls. It's also called a C-section or abdominal delivery.
- Colostrum: The thin, white fluid produced by the breasts in the last weeks of pregnancy before milk comes in.
- Complete Breech: When the baby's buttocks are presenting at the cervix, and its legs are bent up, making vaginal delivery difficult.
- Contraction: The tightening of the uterus that helps push the baby down the birth canal.
- Crowned/Crowning: When the baby’s head has come through the birth canal and is visible at the vaginal opening.
- Dilation: The process of the cervix opening up in preparation for childbirth, measured in centimeters. Full dilation is 10 centimeters.
- Effacement: The thinning of the cervix before birth, measured in percentages. 100% effaced means the cervix is fully thinned.
- Engaged: When the baby’s head (or presenting part) settles into the pelvic cavity, usually in the last month of pregnancy.
- Epidural: A common form of anesthesia during labor, inserted through a catheter into the space near the spinal cord.
- Episiotomy: An incision made in the perineum to widen the vaginal opening for delivery.
- Fetal Distress: When the baby is not getting enough oxygen or is experiencing other problems.
- Fontanelle: The soft spots on a baby’s skull that allow for some flexibility as the baby passes through the birth canal.
- Forceps: A tong-shaped instrument used to help guide the baby’s head out during delivery.
- Frank Breech: When the baby’s buttocks are presenting at the cervix, and its legs are extended straight up towards its head.
- Incontinence: The inability to control urination, which can happen when the baby puts pressure on the bladder.
- Induced Labor: When labor is started or sped up using methods like prostaglandin gel, an IV of oxytocin (Pitocin), or breaking the water bag.
- Jaundice: A condition where the baby’s skin turns yellow due to the liver not yet processing red blood cells efficiently.
- Labor: The regular contractions of the uterus that help open the cervix and prepare for childbirth.
- Lightening: When the baby drops lower into the pelvis in preparation for delivery.
- Meconium: A greenish substance found in the baby’s bowels, usually passed after birth.
- Neonatologist: A doctor who specializes in the care of newborns.
- NICU: Stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where critically ill or premature newborns are cared for.
- Nubain: A synthetic narcotic pain reliever used during labor.
- Oxytocin: A hormone that helps start contractions and the milk-eject reflex. Pitocin is the synthetic form used in labor.
- Perineum: The area of muscle and tissue between the vagina and the rectum.
- Phenergan: A sedative that also helps control nausea and vomiting.
- Placenta: The organ that connects the mother and baby, providing nourishment and removing waste.
- Placenta Previa: When the placenta covers part or all of the cervix.
- Posterior: When the baby is facing up during delivery. The normal position is face-down (anterior).
- Postpartum: The period following childbirth.
- Post-Term: When pregnancy lasts longer than 42 weeks.
- Preterm: Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
- Prostaglandin Cream: Medication used to help soften and open the cervix before labor starts.
- Provider: A healthcare professional who provides care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. This can include obstetricians, midwives, nurse practitioners, or family doctors.
- Ruptured Membranes: When the fluid-filled sac around the baby breaks, which can cause a gush or a slow fluid leak.
- Speculum: An instrument used to widen the vagina slightly so the cervix can be seen more clearly.
- Timing Contractions: Measuring the time between the start of one contraction and the start of the next.
- Transverse: When the baby is lying sideways in the uterus. If the position cannot be corrected, a cesarean will be needed.
- Umbilical Cord: The cord that carries blood, oxygen, and nutrients from the placenta to the baby.
- Vacuum Extractor: A device that attaches to the baby’s head to help guide it out of the birth canal during delivery.
Click to download the Birth Terms and Definitions List