Advancing Health: Preparing Fathers for Parenthood

Episode Theme: Father-Inclusive Prenatal Care and Its Impact on Families
Host: Julia Resnik, AHA
Guests: Renitha Julian (Rush University Medical Center) & Paul Florsham (University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Zilber School of Public Health)
Release Date: June 16, 2025

Overview

This special Father's Day episode highlights the Preparing for Parenthood program, an innovative prenatal initiative based in Chicago dedicated to supporting not just mothers, but fathers and their babies as well. The program aims to foster engagement of fathers in prenatal care, strengthen co-parenting skills, address social determinants of health, and empower families—ultimately improving outcomes for mothers, fathers, and children.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why Father-Inclusive Care Matters

• Fathers experience a major life transition too

  • Many fathers lack knowledge and confidence about parenting infants and the impending changes to relationships.
  • “The transition to parenting always involves a lot of relationship challenges… new parents report their relationship as, or aspects of their relationship of having been lost.” — Paul Florsham [01:16]

• Co-parenting, regardless of relationship status

  • The program treats each couple without assumptions about the future of their romantic relationship, instead focusing on building effective co-parenting skills—even if couples split up.
  • “We don't really have a stake in that [the relationship lasting]. That's for you to decide. … We do want you to be able to work together as a co-parenting team regardless of what happens…” — Paul Florsham [02:14]

• Fathers’ Presence is Protective

  • Fathers not only benefit themselves but act as key supporters for mothers during labor, delivery, and afterward, often serving as advocates and buffers.
  • “Fathers have questions. Fathers want to be helpful. They want to be there. … They have a really important role in helping keep mothers safe during labor and delivery.” — Renitha Julian [02:40]

The Chicago Community Context

• Rush University Medical Center, located centrally in Chicago, serves a diverse population—Latinx, African American, and various other ethnic groups.
• The diversity deepens the importance of cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in program design and implementation.
• “It really is good to be in that space and to serve a large group of people, all of whom may have some challenges. … It fits with our mission and vision, for sure.” — Renitha Julian [03:53]

Program Structure: Preparing for Parenthood

• Integrated with Prenatal Care

  • Services are offered in conjunction with prenatal visits, facilitating access (“It’s kind of hard to find fathers if you don’t go through the services that are being provided to mothers.” — Paul Florsham [05:59])
  • Mothers are often invested in fathers’ participation.

• Three Core Pillars

  1. Co-parenting & Communication Skills
     • Focused, individualized sessions to hone communication tailored to each couple’s needs (“We work with couples individually…we like to customize the program to meet the particular needs and wants of those couples.” — Paul Florsham [07:12])
  2. Parenting Skills
     • Practical instruction for newborn care, child safety (e.g., safe sleep), soothing techniques, and evolving content for multiple children or toddlers, including father-specific guidance.
     • “Most things are targeted towards mothers. … So how to soothe the baby, what happens when, why is your baby crying all the time?” — Renitha Julian [09:36])
  3. Care Coordination / Case Management
     • Addressing social determinants (jobs, housing, legal concerns, etc.), providing essential supports beyond parenting skills.

• Workforce Development Add-On

  • The program connects families to local workforce programs: job readiness, resume help, interview prep, and workplace skills.
  • “There’s an awareness that families need more than communication and co-parenting…a lot of families need a job, want a job, want to do something differently.” — Renitha Julian [09:28]

The Participant Experience

• Individualized, Couple-Focused Approach

  • Starts with a “parent prep check” interview—each couple’s relationship, hopes, challenges, and strengths are explored.
  • Customizes subsequent sessions to each couple’s context (e.g., first-time parents versus those with multiple children).
  • “We start with what we call the parent prep check…hone in on what the couple wants and what the couple needs…” — Renitha Julian [11:12]

• Supportive, Nonjudgmental Environment

  • Emphasizes coaching, practical support, and emotional safety—not traditional therapy or interrogating the past.
  • “We don’t want to assume that this is a relationship that both of you necessarily want to be in or that you don’t. … We really are oriented towards figuring out how do you guys move forward together.” — Paul Florsham [12:24]
  • “I act as kind of a coach and a referee…” — Paul Florsham [13:34]

Measuring Impact

• Qualitative Outcomes

  • Joy and growth among participants: Renitha shares the story of a father who finds pride and fulfillment in parenting his daughter, relishing their relationship and her learning experiences.
  • “Just the joy in listening to this father’s interview…how he felt about himself, how he felt about his daughter and how they were growing and learning together.” — Renitha Julian [14:15]

• Quantitative Results

  • Focus on co-parenting relationship quality, prevention of intimate partner violence, parental confidence, and the quality of parent-child interactions (sometimes via direct observation).
  • “Our goal really is to either improve the quality of the co-parenting relationship if they are having a lot of challenges or prevent the development of problems so that down the road they’re able to manage that relationship regardless.” — Paul Florsham [15:24]
  • Success is defined not by couples staying together romantically, but by healthy and effective co-parenting.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Many of them are sort of both excited and intimidated by the idea of having an infant.” — Paul Florsham [01:04]
• “Fathers need as much attention really as mothers do. Maybe not as much physical attention, but otherwise, they need just as much attention as mothers do.” — Renitha Julian [03:19]
• “So that if it starts to get too stressful in here, you know, I’m going to say, hold on, let’s do take a timeout.” — Paul Florsham [13:44]
• “It is very gratifying as a provider to see them find ways to parent apart if they’re able to do that successfully.” — Paul Florsham [16:10]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Theme Introduction and Importance of Father-Inclusive Care: [00:23 – 03:32]
• Community Context (Chicago’s Diversity): [03:53 – 04:42]
• Program Origins and Design: [04:53 – 08:46]
• Workforce Development & Father-Specific Parenting Content: [08:46 – 10:33]
• Participant Experience & Individualization: [11:07 – 13:46]
• Impact: Qualitative & Quantitative Findings: [13:57 – 16:25]
• Closing Thanks and Takeaways: [16:25 – 16:44]

Summary Takeaway

Preparing Fathers for Parenthood demonstrates that meaningful, father-inclusive prenatal programs can be transformative. Through collaborative, tailored support, both parents gain practical skills, confidence, and the resources they need to nurture their children—regardless of their relationship status or background. The program’s real-world impact is seen both in participant stories and measurable outcomes, pointing to a promising model for family and community health.