Presentation Information

It Is My Baby Too: Improving Fathers’ Experiences of Neonatal Care

• Speaker: Minesh Khashu , M.B.B.S, MD, FRCPCH, FRSA
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME

Abstract:

The presentation will cover current evidence of suboptimal practice in terms of fathers expereinces within maternity and neonatal services, our specific recommendations to improve practice and my development of DadPad Neonatal as a specific resource to improve experiences of fathers.
We have reviewed the literature on engaging fathers in neonatal units, with the aim of making recommendations for improving experience of fathers as well as health outcomes in neonatal practice. Fathers typically describe the opportunity to bond with their babies in glowing terms of gratitude, happiness and love. These experiences are underpinned by hormonal and neurobiological changes. We find that engagement with fathers remains sub-optimal. Fathers, also, are subject to different social expectations from mothers, which shapes how they respond to the situation and how neonatal staff treats them.
We have put forth 3 core principles and 12 practical recommendations for neonatal teams to focus on.