Plus Paternal — A Case for Change

Abstract

Background: The health of mothers and babies is rightly prioritised within our health system, but men have needs as they seek to, and become fathers, that are often overlooked. Fertility specialists are well placed to empower men and support meaningful improvements in psychosocial health in the planning for and transition to fatherhood. Aim: Healthy Male’s ‘Plus Paternal: a focus on fathers’ project sought to establish the current situation in Australia in relation to paternal health, and to identify opportunities for improvement. Method: Evidence was gathered through surveys of men and health professionals, literature reviews, consultations and a review of national strategies and guidelines. This forms the ‘Plus Paternal Case for Change’ 1 . Results: Non-birthing parents, most commonly men, are poorly engaged by reproductive health services. They are often viewed as secondary to achieving pregnancy and child-rearing – welcome, but not active participants. There is no systematic approach to engage, recognise, or support their needs during this critical life transition. This leaves men feeling undervalued and overlooks their fertility and health needs, as well as their contribution to healthy pregnancies and families. The ‘Plus Paternal Case for Change’ sets seven goals for change, calling for the collective efforts to challenge traditional stereotypes and to improve the experiences, psychosocial health of men and families. An increasing number of organisations have endorsed these goals and joined the Plus Paternal Network to progress meaningful change. Conclusion: Policy, systems and practice-level changes are required to create a more inclusive health system — one that recognises the evolving roles, expectations and needs of both parents. Fertility services are asked to reflect on their systems and practice, and to take steps to ensure that fathers and prospective fathers are proactively engaged and supported as equal parenting partners.