Peer-reviewed article
Male partners’ experiences of early pregnancy ultrasound scans in Soweto, South Africa: The Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby randomised trial
Roisin E. Drysdale, Wiedaad Slemming, Tawanda Makusha, Linda Richter ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study explored how male partners in Soweto, South Africa experienced attending early pregnancy ultrasound scans with their pregnant partners. Over 100 couples participated, with most men reporting initial anxiety that decreased after the scan. The ultrasound examination positively affected men's feelings about becoming fathers and strengthened their relationships with their partners. The findings suggest that including fathers in antenatal care, including ultrasound scans, has benefits for both men and pregnancies.
Key points
- 64% of male partners reported feeling very anxious before the ultrasound scan, though anxiety decreased after the procedure (54%)
- 30% of men stated they were ready or excited to be a father following the ultrasound experience
- 28% of men believed their relationship with the mother became stronger as a result of participating in antenatal care
- Only 32% of the male partners were living with their pregnant partner at the time of the study
- The study calls for South African health services to accommodate and encourage partners and fathers to attend antenatal care
Limitations
This study measured men's self-reported experiences and perceptions immediately around the ultrasound visit, so it cannot assess longer-term effects on father involvement, child health outcomes, or whether these men actually remained engaged in childcare. The study was conducted in one setting (Soweto) with volunteers who attended ultrasound appointments, so the results may not represent all South African men or those who do not attend antenatal care.
Abstract
Background. Despite international evidence highlighting the benefits of male partners attending antenatal visits, including pregnancy ultrasound scans, it is unusual for South African (SA) men to attend such visits, and little is known about their experiences if they do. Objectives. To explore the experiences and antenatal attachment among male partners who attend early pregnancy ultrasound examinations in Soweto, SA. Methods. Pregnant women attending ultrasound examinations were invited to bring their partners with them. Both completed individual questionnaires, including the antenatal attachment scale. The results are based on a descriptive analysis of 102 mother-partner pairs. Results. The mean age of partners was 35 years. Only 32% of men were living with their pregnant partner. Before the ultrasound scan, 64% of men reported feeling very anxious, while 54% also felt anxious after the procedure. The ultrasound examination had a positive effect on men and their thoughts regarding their developing baby, with 30% stating that they were ready or excited to be a father. Twenty-eight percent believed their relationship with the mother was stronger as a result of participating in antenatal care. Conclusions. We found that prenatal ultrasound scans had a positive effect on male partners and their thoughts about the pregnancy, their forthcoming child and their relationship with and support for their partner. Health services in SA should accommodate partners/ fathers and encourage them to attend antenatal care, including pregnancy ultrasound scans. Interventions are needed to encourage more men to be involved – from conception – potentially addressing individual, familial, societal and structural barriers to involvement of the father in long-term maternal and child care.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Inviting and enabling male partners to attend early pregnancy ultrasound examinations alongside their pregnant partners
- Population
- 102 mother-partner pairs attending ultrasound examinations in Soweto, South Africa; mean partner age 35 years; only 32% living with pregnant partner
Key finding
64% of men reported feeling very anxious before the ultrasound scan; 54% reported anxiety after the procedure
Drysdale et al. · Prof. Linda Richter (OpenAlex works) · 22 Jul 2022