Fourth Trimester Podcast Episode 147: Bringing Fathers into Pregnancy – Dr Ed Stephens
Bringing Fathers Into Pregnancy is A New Standard for Inclusive Perinatal Care
Healthy families start with healthy parents (and wherever possible, that includes the father!). Dr. Ed Stephens shares his groundbreaking “Bringing Fathers Into Pregnancy” questionnaire, a simple, life-saving tool that helps prevent postpartum depression, strengthen families, and give babies the healthiest possible start.
This episode gives parents and perinatal professionals research-backed insight into fathers’ mental health and its impact on families. This episode is an opportunity to learn simple, proven ways to prevent depression and protect connection from the very start.
This is an amazing legacy and we’re excited to help share Dr Ed Stephens’ work with the world.
Edward M. Stephens, MD Foundation for Male Studies
“When we bring fathers into pregnancy, we don’t just protect dads, we protect mothers, babies, and the bond that holds families together”
— Dr Ed Stephens, OBGYN, Psychiatrist
About Dr Edward M Stephens
Edward M. Stephens, MD is an internationally-recognized physician and psychiatrist. He has produced a stream of programs about men, women and families: The Paternal Instinct, Paternal Grief Syndrome, After Divorce: Fathers, Mothers and the Law, and Shattering Fictions and Myths in Divorce. He then turned to the question of The Decline of Males (Tiger) and Why Men Die First (Legato), Why Boys Fail (Tyre) and an intense awareness that men and boys had become “the neglected other half of gender” according to the World Bank. With no presence of male studies in higher education, and falling prospects globally to the detriment of all, he saw the need to create an educational initiative that would be a-political, rigorous and inclusive. Today, Male Studies, A New Academic Discipline and The Foundation for Male Studies, support these efforts.
Full Show Notes
1. Ed Stevens’ background and mission — 00:00:40
2. Personal journey through paternal postpartum depression — 00:03:47
3. Why fathers are excluded in prenatal care — 00:06:19
4. “Bringing the Father into Pregnancy” concept — 00:07:52
5. Reception from Postpartum Support leaders — 00:09:35
6. What the father questionnaire includes — 00:14:47
7. Risk factors and screening impact — 00:16:39
8. Effects on bonding, infant brain development — 00:20:42
9. Relationship strain, divorce, safety concerns — 00:22:06
10. Inclusivity: absent dads and same‑sexpartners — 00:26:07
11. How providers and families can use it — 00:27:47
12. Final reflections on support and joy — 00:43:54
The content provided in this article(s) is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or other professional advice. Neither Sarah Trott nor Fourth Trimester Media Group LLC are liable for claims arising from the use of or reliance on information contained in this article.
