Fathers’ sensitive parenting enhanced by prenatal video-feedback: a randomized controlled trial using ultrasound imaging

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate an interaction-based prenatal parenting intervention program aimed at promoting parental sensitivity and involvement in expectant fathers using ultrasound images: Prenatal Video-Feedback Intervention to Promote Positive Parenting (VIPP-PRE). Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 73 first-time, healthy expectant fathers were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to the VIPP-PRE intervention (n = 39) or a dummy intervention (n = 34). Parental sensitivity was coded from video-recorded 10-min interactions with an infant simulator at a prenatal pretest and with fathers’ own infant at a postnatal posttest. Prenatal and postnatal involvement was assessed via an application on participants’ smartphones. Results Fathers receiving VIPP-PRE demonstrated increased sensitivity across the perinatal period, relative to fathers receiving a dummy intervention. Fathers’ involvement with the infant increased significantly from the prenatal to postnatal period, regardless of the intervention. Conclusions Prenatal video-feedback using ultrasound imaging of the unborn child has the potential to promote the quality of parenting in an important, but understudied, population and period: men in the transition to fatherhood. Future research should examine the long-term effectiveness of VIPP-PRE and its effectiveness in increasing parenting quality in at-risk families. Impact This study identifies a brief and focused prenatal intervention using assisted interactions between the father and his baby by means of ultrasound imaging as a promising strategy to improve sensitive fathering in the early postnatal phase. Our study shows that pregnancy provides a window of opportunity for promoting prenatal involvement and bonding in expectant fathers, with potential long-term benefits for the future father–child relationship. Ultrasound measures are currently used to monitor fetal growth and development, but our results suggest that they may also create an opportunity for stimulating father–infant interaction to promote postnatal caregiving quality.

Maternal and paternal sensitivity: Key determinants of child attachment security examined through meta-analysis.

“…That may even start before the birth of the baby. For example, in an randomized controlled trial testing video-feedback to promote sensitive child–father interaction using ultrasound imaging during pregnancy, intervention fathers showed increased sensitivity with their 2-month-old infants (Buisman et al, 2023).…”

Movement through motherhood: Exploring mood, wellbeing, and prenatal emotional availability (EA) through EA‐based dance intervention

“…One is by Buisman et al. (2022), in which they examined parental reactions to the unborn baby via a sonogram. The other is by van Bakel et al.…”

“…There are only two other "observational" measures of prenatal behavior of a parent toward the unborn baby. One is by Buisman et al (2022), in which they examined parental reactions to the unborn baby via a sonogram. The other is by van Bakel et al (2013), who developed a nonverbal measure of prenatal attachment (Pictorial Representation of Attachment Measure; PRAM).…”