Introduction:
The role of fathers during pregnancy and birth has changed so much in the past few decades. Historically fathers were seen as secondary supporters, just providing the economic bit. But research is now highlighting the importance of emotional and psychological involvement and how they impact on mum and baby. This review looks at the changing face of fatherhood, the impact of father involvement on family dynamics and the evolving ways to include dads in the prenatal and birth process.

Methods:
This narrative review searches the literature from credible sources such as PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. The key words “father involvement during pregnancy” and “paternal support in childbirth” were used to find relevant studies from 1980 to present. 43 articles were included, all empirical research on paternal involvement and its effects on maternal health, family cohesion and child development.

Results:
Fathers involved during pregnancy have a positive impact on maternal mental health, reducing stress and the risk of postnatal depression. Fathers who get in early with their child have a stronger bond with the child and better outcomes. Research shows that dads’ active involvement not only strengthens the relationship between mum and dad but also the whole family and long term paternal involvement in childcare. Programs that educate dads about pregnancy and birth have shown to increase their readiness for parenthood and reduce anxieties around transition to fatherhood.

Conclusions:
Father involvement during pregnancy and birth is key for mum and baby. While father involvement has increased, barriers such as lack of education and work pressure still stops them from being fully involved. Healthcare professionals can support dads through targeted education and resources. Further research should look at ways to overcome these barriers and a more inclusive model of fatherhood in the perinatal period.