ABSTRACT
The birth of a man’s first child has frequently been seen as complementary to that of the mother and not as a separate event for the male. Pregnancy and birth of a first child can leave men hesitant to associate stressors with the birthing journey, further complicating the symptomatic profile often associated with aloofness and distance out of respect for the physical obligations of pregnancy for the mother. The clinical focus of fathers has often been placed on traditional male experiences such as employment and financial status. These variables have often precluded examining the life-altering effects of first-time parenthood by professionals working in mental health settings.
