The Parental–Foetal Relationship -a Comparison of Male and Female Expectant Parents

Abstract

Over the past 40 years, several authors have reported on the nature of the pregnant woman's emotional attachment to her unborn child. The notion that expectant fathers may also develop antenatal attachment is much less accepted. In the present study, a questionnaire instrument assessing antenatal attachment was administered to both members of 54 first-time expectant couples. This allowed a direct comparison to be made between men and women in terms of their thoughts, feelings and behaviours towards the foetus. No similar comparison has been published to date.Three of the major findings were: (1) thoughts and feelings about the foetus are strikingly similar between pregnant women and expectant fathers; (2) the behavioural expression of this antenatal attachment is considerably attenuated in the men, most likely due to perceived conflicts with the sex role stereotype of masculinity; (3) attitudes towards the foetus per se are not necessarily correlated (in either sex) with attitudes towards 'being pregnant.'Possible implications of the findings for clinical practice and future research are discussed.