For the longest time, many people thought the only thing that affects a baby’s health during pregnancy is the mother. The prevailing belief was that fathers only affect their children’s health genetically but only mothers affect them through their lifestyle. There’s now extensive research to show that a father’s preconception lifestyle directly affects the baby’s health. That’s right dads, you—and your child—are what you eat.
According to the University of New Mexico, studies found that fathers with a history of chronic illnesses like cancer increase the risk of preterm birth or conditions that necessitate the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A father’s habits like smoking, drinking, using controlled substances, and diet choices also affect the health of the baby.
Understanding preconception health
A father’s preconception health affects the baby’s health and brain development. When preparing for pregnancy, dads also need to watch their health and talk candidly with their doctors about their lifestyles. Parents have to start making changes to their health in the three to six months leading to their pregnancy. For instance, research has found that obesity in men has led to lower sperm count. Before trying to get pregnant, men should try to get in better shape to increase the success chances of their pregnancy.
Studies on animals also found that the male parent’s sperm also affects the placenta. This also means that unhealthy fathers increase the risk of long-term heart, immunity, and brain problems.
How a father’s habits affect a baby’s health
1. Marijuana use
A study published by Boston University found that marijuana use by a father increases the risk of an early miscarriage. Men who use marijuana once a week or more double the risk of an early miscarriage. This risk remains even when the mother doesn’t use marijuana. It’s not clear if smoking, vaping, or edibles affect the level of risk. Miscarriages mostly happen by six weeks and the risk is reduced if a pregnancy goes past eight weeks. Parents intending to get pregnant should stop using marijuana for at least six months before they start trying.
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2. Alcohol consumption
Chronic alcohol use reduces the quality of semen. Drinking ten or more drinks a week by the father also increases the risk of early miscarriage. When both parents drink, it increases the risk of leukaemia, unhealthy heart, low birth weight, and preterm birth.
3. Smoking tobacco
Fathers who smoke cigarettes increase the risk of childhood leukaemia in their children. This isn’t just from the mother being exposed to second-hand smoke. Smoking affects the father’s DNA and subsequently, his sperm. Smoking reduces the quality of sperm. Preconception smoking also increases the risk of lower immunity among babies.
4. Age
Dads over 40 are at a higher risk of having a baby with mental health disorders. Sperm in older men is more likely to undergo genetic mutations which can affect the baby’s health. The male biological clock is important to consider when planning for a family.
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5. Stress
The more stressed a father is before a pregnancy, the more likely his sperm will be affected. Having a stressed father during conception could affect a baby’s stress responses when they grow up. They may have a difficult time managing stressful situations. They may also develop abnormal stress responses and be more likely to develop mental health issues.
Health: How Stress Changes Or Affects Your Brain And Body
6. Obesity
Obese fathers have a lower success rate at fertility. In addition, their sperm also affects how their children process growth and calorie use. Babies of obese men are more likely to struggle with their weight when they’re older compared to babies of men of a healthy weight. Weight loss changes the genetic components in sperm and boosts the health of your baby.
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Pregnancy tips for men
The burden of prenatal health is placed predominantly on women. However, with more studies being found to show how much a father’s habits affect a pregnancy, fathers have a bigger responsibility when it comes to planning a pregnancy. Making healthy lifestyle changes will increase the health of the baby, increase the success rate of carrying a baby to full change and reduce the risk of chronic illness in the baby after it’s born.
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Gloria Mari
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