Essere padre di un bambino nato pretermine

Most studies of reactions to a preterm birth have involved mothers, but the emotional responses and behaviors of the father are equally important. The father is the first to come into contact with the newborn, to ask about his condition and to communicate information to mother and other family members. If there are other children, he must also look after them. In these functions he is often left alone and can manifest affective disorders, even if differently from women. In addition, the experience of preterm birth can foster couple conflicts. Research has shown that involving fathers in newborn care is essential not only because it promotes the father-son attachment and has positive effects on the development of the newborn, but also for the health of the mother and the whole family. Guidelines are provided to enhance the functions of fathers of preterm-born children, promote their involvement and prevent the manifestation of perinatal affective disorders and couple problems. The functions of the psychologist in these cases require not only clinical skills, but also the ability to manage the emotional and relational difficulties of parents and colleagues.