Prenatal Intuitive Coparenting Behaviors

Abstract

Micro-analytic research on intuitive parenting behaviors has shed light on the temporal dynamics of parent and child interactions. Observations have shown that parents possess remarkable implicit communicative abilities allowing them to adapt to the clues infants give and therefore stimulate the development of many of the infants’ abilities, such as communication skills. This work focused on observing intuitive parenting behaviors that were synchronized and coordinated between the parents. We call them “prenatal intuitive coparenting behaviors” and used an observation task – the Prenatal Lausanne Trilogue Play procedure – to observe them. For this task, the parents role-play their first encounter with their future baby, represented by a doll. Two cases from a study on pregnancy after assisted reproductive technology are provided to illustrate how these behaviors manifest themselves. The observations from the first case suggest that expectant parents can offer the baby a coparental framework, whereas the observations from the second case show that opportunities for episodes of prenatal intuitive coparenting can be missed due to certain relationship dynamics. These kinds of observations deepen our knowledge of the prenatal emergence of the coparenting relationship and allow us to hone our strategies for intervening during pregnancy with couples who experience coparenting difficulties. Furthermore, these observations provide a novel and complementary perspective on prenatal intuitive parenting and coparenting behaviors.

Active Husband Involvement During Pregnancy: A Grounded Theory

“…The transition presents the challenge of accepting new members into the family system, realignment of relationships with extended family, renegotiation of household duties, and learning to parent and coparent (McGoldrick et al, 2016). It was long believed that coparenting did not begin until the new child was born; however, it is now theorized that coparenting begins during the prenatal stage (Darwiche et al, 2016). Women who perceive their partners as supportive during pregnancy and supportive in coparenting consistently have higher levels of relationship quality (Durtschi et al, 2017).…”

“…Women who perceive their partners as supportive during pregnancy and supportive in coparenting consistently have higher levels of relationship quality (Durtschi et al, 2017). Coparenting during pregnancy is highly influenced by the couple relationship and sets the standard for future coparenting behaviors (Darwiche et al, 2016). Varga et al (2014) suggested that pregnancy may be the ideal time to focus on paternal involvement and various coparenting behaviors.…”

New fathers’ parenting quality: Personal, contextual, and child precursors.

“…Strengthening the coparenting relationship by encouraging supportive, cooperative, and positive behaviors might provide an optimal foundation for strong father-child relationships, and, in turn, positive child social and emotional adjustment. Furthermore, researchers have extended research on intuitive parenting behaviors to intuitive coparenting behaviors (Darwiche, Fivaz-Depeursinge, & Corboz-Warnery, 2016). However, the consequences of prenatal intuitive coparenting behavior for fathers’ parenting quality postpartum are unknown.…”

Actor and partner effects of prenatal coparenting behavior on postpartum depression in first-time parents

“…According to prior research, thus, the postnatal coparenting relationship is associated with PPD. Conceptual and empirical evidence, however, suggest that coparenting starts developing even prior to the arrival of the infant (e.g., Ammaniti et al, 2006; Darwiche et al, 2016). Some studies, for example, have documented associations between prenatal coparenting expectations and postnatal cohesion and solidarity (McHale et al, 2004; McHale & Rotman, 2007), where others showed associations between prenatal and postnatal coparenting characteristics (Altenburger et al, 2014; Kuersten-Hogan, 2017).…”