In this study, researchers followed 86 parents of premature babies and found that both mothers and fathers had high levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their saliva while their infant was in the hospital. However, the research team observed that after their baby came home, maternal cortisol levels stabilized while stress hormone levels increased in the fathers. Lead author Dr. Craig Garfield explains, “Dad goes from a situation where the baby and mom are cared for by experts in the hospital to having to simultaneously care for his baby, partner and work. He is supposed to be the ‘rock’ for his partner but the stress can really set in.” The findings suggest that more emphasis should be placed on making fathers of premature babies comfortable and confident with their child.
Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, December 2017