Preparation for Parenthood

Abstract

Preparing for parenthood during pregnancy is an important aspect of the transition to becoming first time parents, involving numerous changes and challenges to expectant mothers and fathers which can have subsequent effects on their babies. This chapter aims to outline our current knowledge of these changes, with a focus on emotional aspects including parental depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy, as well as cognitive changes such as beliefs, attitudes, and expectations. Expecting parents also experience changes in their couple relationship, including difficulties managing new household and child tasks and couple conflict, and their social relationships with family and friends may further undergo a transition. Pregnancy has usually been considered a time period focused on mother’s experiences only, and father’s needs and experiences have often been neglected. We outline the transition to fatherhood, and highlight that fathers also struggle with adapting to their new role with feelings of depression and anxiety being not uncommon. The latter sections of this chapter review the evidence of intervention programs available to new parents at the transition to parenthood as well as their effectiveness, and future research directions are suggested. Finally, the chapter outlines practical implications for policy and clinical practice to identify what our knowledge about preparing for parenthood could be utilized for to help parents adjust to the transition more easily.