A survey of 136 Swedish couples expecting a baby found that the pregnant woman and her partner had both been equally involved in the planning of the pregnancy.

The researchers, led by Maja Bodin at Uppsala University, emphasised the “importance of togetherness” in these couples, which overrides consideration of separate gender-specific roles.

The research recommends that midwives and other care professionals should take into account equality and mutual planning of pregnancy where it exists, offering support to both parents in these families as a way of improving family well-being.

Bodin M, Stern J, Käll LF, Tydén T & Larsson M (2015), Coherence of pregnancy planning within couples expecting a child, Midwifery 31

Photo: Rob Chandler. Creative Commons.