Black women are more likely to experience adverse birth outcomes when compared with White women. Living in the United States as a Black woman may increase risk for adverse birth outcomes. Pregnant Black women are more likely to report living in disadvantaged neighborhoods and experiencing racial discrimination compared with pregnant White women, and Black expectant fathers may experience higher rates of everyday unfair treatment because of race/ethnicity compared with White fathers (Giurgescu, 2017). This special topics series focuses on Black fathers and their potential influence on maternal and infant outcomes. Psychosocial factors may increase risk for preterm birth (PTB) (Giurgescu & Misra, 2018). Black expectant parents experience unique stressors in their lives that may increase their levels of psychological stress, depressive symptoms, and risk for adverse birth outcomes.

Fathers have significant roles in their children's life. Children whose fathers are involved with them during their childhood are more likely to have higher levels of self-esteem and emotional stability compared with children whose fathers are not involved. The father of the baby has a significant role during a woman's pregnancy. Research presented in this special issue suggests that the father of the baby may influence maternal mental health and birth outcomes.

Nuttor, Slaugher-Acey, Giurgescu, and Misra (2018) reported that women who had symptoms of depression were 70% more likely to have a PTB compared with women who did not have symptoms, after adjustment for both general social support and father-of-the-baby support. Support from the father was not related to PTB; however, conflict with the father was associated with PTB. Women with greater father-of-the-baby conflict were 21% more likely to have PTB compared with women with less conflictive relationships, suggesting that depressive symptoms and conflict with the father of the baby increase risk for PTB among Black women.

Eboh, Giurgescu, and Misra (2018) reported that women who had a distant relationship with the father of the baby before and during the pregnancy had higher levels of perceived stress compared with women who reported a close relationship. Distant relationship with the father of the baby before and during the pregnancy may increase levels of psychological stress for pregnant Black women.

Caldwell, Misra, Rogers, Young, and Giurgescu (2018) reported that both mothers and fathers experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Higher levels of conflict with the partner predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms for both mothers and fathers. Fathers experienced comparable levels of depressive symptoms as mothers, and conflict with the partner increased the risk for depressive symptoms for both parents.

These studies highlight the importance of the role of the father of the baby on maternal mental health and birth outcomes among Black women. The research presented suggests conflict with the father of the baby is related to higher levels of depressive symptoms and risk for PTB among these women. Caldwell et al. (2018) found expectant fathers experience similar levels of depressive symptoms as expectant mothers. Improving mental health of pregnant women has potential to improve birth outcomes. Understanding the role of the father of the baby on birth outcomes will provide the foundation for designing interventions to eliminate disparities in preterm birth among Black women. We hope you enjoy reading these articles.

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