What Is the Role of Fathers in Maternal Health?

When it comes to maternal health in the United States, women face several challenges, including high mortality, racial disparities, and inadequate mental health support. These factors put women at risk, and, unfortunately, attempts to address them often overlook a key group of advocates: men and fathers. The American Hospital Association (AHA) says, “Men can have a significant influence in supporting women during their pregnancy and can be essential allies in creating better outcomes for mother and child.”

While health systems, physicians, policymakers, and others directly impact maternal health and should be pressed to do more, men and fathers can play a significant role — and fill in some critical gaps. In this post, we’ll discuss the role of fathers in maternal health and share perspectives from recent guests of our “I Am Dad” podcast and an alum from our Gentle Warriors Academy (GWA) fatherhood program with public health expertise.

But first, let’s look at some shocking maternal health facts.

Maternal Health Risks in the United States

Pregnant and postpartum women in the United States face the highest rate of maternal deaths of any high-income nation, and the burden of these deaths is not shared equally. For example, the Associated Press (AP) has reported, “Black women in the US died at a rate nearly 3.5 times higher than white women around the time of childbirth in 2023, [and] racial gaps are widening. … In 2021 and 2022, the maternal death rate for Black women was about 2.6 times higher than white women.”

It’s essential to remember that these statistics are more than numbers. When we talked with Omari Maynard in 2023 for I Am Dad, the artist and ARIAH Foundation founder said, “Black maternal mortality … represents the lives of women who were loved, needed, and central to their families, yet lost due to systemic racism and deeply embedded gaps in the healthcare system. Each loss ripples through entire families and communities, leaving behind grief, trauma, and often preventable devastation.” This perspective on maternal health is highly personal: Maynard lost his life partner following the birth of their second child.

Disparities exist among women in urban and rural settings, as well. The American Medical Association (AMA) reports, “Maternity services are especially scarce in rural areas. Between 2004 and 2014, 9% of rural counties lost hospital maternity services; another 45% had no maternity services to begin with.” And current trends are only making it worse: “Nationwide, more than 400 maternity services closed between 2006 and 2020. Between March and June 2022 alone, 11 health systems announced they were closing their obstetric services,” according to the AMA. In addition, it says, “The US has fewer health care professionals who offer maternity care, including obstetricians, than other high-income countries (except Canada).”

Beyond these obstacles to mothers’ and expectant mothers’ physical well-being, women face significant mental health risks both during pregnancy and postpartum. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports, “Up to 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression (PPD).” According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG), rates of PPD are worsening. It says, “The prevalence of postpartum depression has increased dramatically over the past decade.”

Dads’ Involvement Improves Maternal Health

It’s critical to address these maternal health risks, and research shows that dads’ involvement contributes to better outcomes for mothers and babies:

• “We have found that fathers’ support during labor and delivery can help reduce the risk of maternal mortality” (American Hospital Association).
• “Father involvement during pregnancy correlated with mothers being 1.5 times more likely to receive first-trimester prenatal care and with reductions in prematurity and infant mortality” (American Academy of Pediatrics).

Experts in the field, bolstered by their real-world experience, concur. Fatherhood scholar and advocate Dr. Azaliah B. Israel, who appeared in this episode of our I Am Dad podcast, says, “When fathers are engaged and supportive throughout pregnancy and postpartum, it reduces stress, improves outcomes for both mother and baby, and strengthens the family unit.” In addition, she says, “Fathers’ involvement significantly impacts the mother’s sense of security and confidence during this life-changing process.”

Joel Austin, founder of Daddy University, Inc., and executive director of The School of Parent Education, appeared on Season 2 of our I Am Dad podcast (get the episode here). He says, “I see fatherhood as a potential solution to many problems in maternal health. By educating and involving fathers in maternal care, we can address challenges like postpartum depression, maternal mortality, and even relationship breakdowns. Fathers can bring stability and support that directly benefits mothers and children.”

Dads’ Impact During and After Pregnancy

Dr. J’Maica Hunter, our GWA alum with a master’s degree in public health and a doctorate in healthcare administration, says fathers play several impactful roles in maternal health. They can

• Advocate – Speaking up for the mother during medical visits to ensure her concerns are heard.
• Provide emotional and practical support – Reducing maternal stress by being present, sharing baby care responsibilities, and managing household tasks.
• Educate themselves – Learning about maternal health risks, mental health concerns, and postnatal needs.
• Encourage follow-ups – Ensuring the mother attends postpartum check-ups and seeks help if needed.

Dr. Israel also believes in fathers’ advocacy role. She says, “Whether it’s ensuring the mother’s needs are met or protecting the baby’s well-being, fathers need to know they belong in the room and their role is crucial… Fathers stepping forward to protect the mother and child during the birthing process is critical. From asking the right questions to ensuring the mother’s needs are met, their involvement can make all the difference in creating a safe and positive birth experience, and in some cases, can literally save lives.”

Austin agrees. He says, “When fathers are included in maternal health care, they don’t just provide emotional support — they actively help reduce disparities in maternal mortality. By being present and engaged, fathers can advocate for their partners, ensuring that their voices are heard in medical settings where outcomes can sometimes hinge on advocacy.”

He also echoes Dr. Hunter’s emphasis on fathers as providers of emotional and physical support: “Something as simple as rubbing a mother’s back or providing physical comfort can stimulate oxytocin in the mother, which not only helps milk flow for breastfeeding but also enhances maternal recovery… [This] isn’t just about helping parents bond as partners. These early interactions can determine whether they work together effectively to support their child long-term.”

Dads as Public Health Advocates

Beyond advocating for mothers and babies during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum phase, fathers can make their voices heard as proponents of public health policies that support maternal health. Dr. Hunter recommends fathers’ involvement with key strategies, including:

• Expansion of Medicaid and insurance coverage, ensuring continuous access to care before, during, and after pregnancy.
• Support for community-based programs, like culturally competent care, doulas, midwives, and peer support.
• Standardized protocols in hospitals, which need clear guidelines to respond to maternal complications quickly.
• Mental health integration, through routine screening and support for postpartum mental health.

Black dads’ civic engagement can be incredibly impactful here, considering the persistence of racial disparities in maternal health. Maynard reminds us, “Eighty percent of maternal deaths in the US are preventable, yet Black women continue to die at rates three to four times higher than White women. These deaths are not inevitable — they are the direct result of systemic inequities, medical neglect, and the ongoing disregard for Black women’s pain and concerns… This disregard for Black mothers’ voices contributes significantly to the alarming rates of maternal mortality.”

He says, “Addressing Black maternal health disparities demands a multi-pronged approach that includes education, systemic healthcare reform, and community-driven solutions. By centering the voices of affected families and building support networks, we can create a system where Black mothers are valued, protected, and supported at every stage of their maternal journey.”

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Joel Austin is founder, president, and chief executive officer for Daddy University, Inc., and executive director of The School of Parent Education. He is a strong, undeniable force in propelling males and responsible parenting to the forefront of the family and community agenda. Fueled by his role as a father of four, Mr. Austin is personally and professionally committed to educating and re-educating people about the importance of fatherhood. Through his leadership, Daddy University Inc. has grown into a recognized authority on fatherhood information, support, and training. As a national speaker and skilled facilitator, Mr. Austin presents to thousands nationwide. Learn more in our June 2023 interview for Season 2 of I Am Dad.

J’Maica Hunter, PhD, is a pharmaceutical drug investigator with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He earned a master’s in public health from the University of West Florida in 2022 and a doctorate in healthcare administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg. Before joining the FDA, Dr. Hunter was a quality control microbiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Hunter’s federal service began in 2011 with the Federal Archives and Records Administration (FARA), followed by a position with the US Department of Labor (DOL).

Azaliah B. Israel, PhD, is a leading scholar and advocate in the field of Black fatherhood. Dr. Israel has dedicated her career to deconstructing and transforming narratives surrounding Black fathers. With a doctorate in public policy from the University of Arkansas, post-doctoral experience as a Congressional Policy Fellow at Penn State University, and a current role with the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, Dr. Israel is at the forefront of advancing family policy and fatherhood initiatives. As a wife and mother of two sons, she brings a deeply personal perspective to her work. Learn more in our March 2025 interview for Season 4 of I Am Dad.

Omari Maynard is a Brooklyn-born artist. His use of color, dimension, and texture exhibits raw and natural talent. His pieces tell thought-provoking, intellectually inspiring, and technically sound stories. Omari’s life partner, Shamony Gibson, transitioned in 2019 due to medical malpractice after giving birth to their second child. In response, Omari co-founded The ARIAH Foundation. ARIAH utilizes art, education, and advocacy to mitigate the long-lasting impact of systemic racism and oppression on the sexual, reproductive health, and birth outcomes within BIPOC communities.