Neobook — clinical reference

Information for the Health Care Provider

Information for the Father

INFORMATION FOR THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

Background: Why Should Fathers be Actively Engaged?

Research shows benefits to the mother, baby, and father if male partners are involved during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
ANC and PNC services should be family orientated and should welcome fathers to actively participate in clinical consultations and health education.
During every consultation, screen mothers for intimate partner violence (IPV) and, if safe, invite the male partner to attend the next visit, explaining the benefits of his involvement.
Men have traditionally been excluded from ante- and postnatal spaces. For this reason, it may take time to build men’s trust and for them to feel comfortable in the new male-friendly service environment.
ANC and PNC services should display male-friendly posters and health information materials.

Involving Fathers: A proposed four visit approach

Male partners are unlikely to be able to attend every ANC and PNC visit
A structured, four-visit approach with an outline of helpful content (see below) will help fathers to feel involved, valued, supported, and prepared during the pregnancy and after their baby’s birth
When the father attends, ask his name and call him by his preferred name, not just ‘Dad’
Men may be fearful of HIV testing and may avoid attending visits if they think they may be ‘forced’ into testing for HIV. For this reason, a status-neutral approach to HIV services, where HIV prevention and HIV treatment are explained, promoted and offered in equal balance may assist with male uptake of HIV testing and services. This means that HIV testing should be offered as one component of a comprehensive package of general healthcare services, and linking to HIV prevention services, e.g. PrEP is an equal priority to linking to HIV treatment.

Visit 1: Early/Mid Pregnancy (e.g. second antenatal visit)

Inform about pregnancy, good nutrition and general health
Introduce benefits of involved fatherhood
Offer HIV testing and HIV prevention or treatment based on couple’s needs
Educate serodifferent couples about Treatment as Prevention, and benefits of PrEP

Visit 2: Late Pregnancy (e.g. 34-38 weeks)

Provide information on delivery, labour, danger signs
Advise on what to pack in the mom’s bag
Educate about first days after baby’s birth
Encourage male HIV testing if previously declined
Use of the HIV self-testing kit can be offered as an alternative

Visit 3: Labour/ Delivery

Allow the father to support the woman during labour
Encourage skin-to-skin contact with Dad
Help dad to support early feeding choice
Engage the father in supporting linkage to post-natal care

Visit 4: With Newborn (e.g. day 3-6, 6 week or 10 week visit)

Inform about infant feeding and the importance of immunisations
Encourage bonding to support early development including skin-to-skin contact
Educate on mom’s postnatal health
Offer male HIV testing or prevention/ ART services if not yet aware of status or accessing care

* Father can refer to the biological father or any other supportive male who wishes to be involved including a new partner, grandfather, maternal uncle, cousin, brother, friend

INFORMATION FOR THE FATHER

Information for the father during antenatal care

At each antenatal visit, we will:

Check Mom’s blood pressure, weight and urine to make sure she is healthy
Check for baby’s movements and growth
An ultrasound may be done during the pregnancy to check baby’s growth and development
Answer any questions you may have about the pregnancy or mom or baby’s health
Offer you general health services, including HIV testing and prevention or treatment services because it is important for both Mom and Dad to know their HIV status so that they can be healthy and in control of their health

What you can do to support your partner during pregnancy:

Help her to eat well and keep active
Help her to avoid drinking alcohol, smoking or using recreational drugs during pregnancy as these may harm her health and affect the baby’s growth and development
Help her rest enough by helping with cooking, cleaning and looking after older children
Help her to take any daily medications that have been given without forgetting

What you can do to bond with baby during the pregnancy:

Did you know your relationship with your baby can start even before your baby is born?
Place your hand on mom’s tummy, baby may play by kicking or punching back
Baby can hear your voice, and tell it apart from mom’s, from four months into the pregnancy. You can sing, read to the baby, tell baby stories or play your favourite tunes through headphones placed against mom’s tummy. Baby will recognise these things after he/she is born and will quiet to familiar sounds heard during the pregnancy

Information for the father during post-natal care

At each post-natal visit, we will:

Check mom’s health and review any chronic medication, including monitoring blood results
Check on your baby’s feeding, growth, and development and provide immunisations
Answer any questions/concerns you may have about your own, your partner’s or baby’s health
Offer you any health services you may need including HIV testing, prevention or treatment so that you can be a healthy member of your family

What you can do to support your partner during the time after your baby is born:

Help your partner to eat well and get enough rest by helping with chores and older children
If your baby is breastfeeding, you can help by burping/winding baby after a feed or feed baby if mom expresses milk into a cup or bottle
Having a new baby can be exhausting and busy. Help your partner remember to take daily medications. If she forgets, encourage her to take it as soon as you or she remembers
If you think you or your partner are getting depressed (low mood) seek help at your local clinic

What you can do to bond with baby during the first few weeks/months:

The first few weeks can be hard work, take time to hold your baby, and learn how to bathe and change your baby’s nappies. Skin-to-skin contact is important for you as a dad too.
By six weeks your baby will start to smile at you – this is a really special time!
By three months old baby can play peekaboo and will laugh with you
Reading, telling stories or listening to music together can help to build a bond
Take baby out for walks, being outside gives baby plenty to look at to keep them calm

Click here for the pdf.

South African National Department of Health, Guideline for Vertical Transmission Prevention of Communicable Infections, Version 2_August 2023