It Is Time To Make Men Care About Their Role in Pregnancy

The following blog post discusses a new article from The Lancet published in March 2026 about why men's health before pregnancy matters just as much as women's health.

For a long time (probably since forever), when people talked about getting ready for a baby, they mostly talked about moms. But guess what? Dads are important too, shocker (insert eye roll)! A new study from The Lancet shows that men's health before they become fathers can make a big difference for the whole family.

What Did Scientists Find?

Scientists looked at lots of studies about men's health before pregnancy. They found something really cool (but also seemingly something that should have been obvious all along): what happens to men when they are young can affect their future kids. Things like what they eat, how much they move, and how they feel can all matter.

The study also found that we have been wrongly blaming moms if something went wrong with a pregnancy (oh hey Patriarchy!).

How Does Dad's Health Affect Babies?

When a dad is healthy before a baby is made, it decreases risks to the pregnancy and the baby.

Weight and Health Problems

When dads have health problems like obesity and high blood sugar, babies might be born too early or too small. One big study found that dads with more health problems had babies who were 19% more likely to be born too early.

What Dads Eat

What a dad eats can change his sperm. These changes can affect how the baby grows, even before the baby is born. A healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, and fish is best for dads who want to decrease health risks for their future children.

Smoking and Drinking

When dads smoke, it can cause birth defects in babies. Dads who smoke also have a higher chance of having babies with heart problems. Drinking too much alcohol and using drugs are also bad for making healthy babies.

Stress

When dads have high levels of stress, it can affect their future kids too. It increases their children’s risk for risk c

What Can Dads Do?

The good news is that dads can do things to help! Here are some easy steps:

- Eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

- Stop smoking and avoid drugs

- Keep a healthy weight

- Move your body and exercise

- See a doctor for checkups

- Manage stress in healthy ways

- Avoid getting too hot "down there" (like from hot tubs)

Studies show that when men make these changes, their sperm gets healthier in just a few months!

Why This Matters

This new study is important because it shows that both moms AND dads need to be healthy before having a baby. For too long, only moms were told to get healthy. Now we know that dads play a big part too.

When both parents are healthy, babies have the best chance to be healthy too. It's a team effort!

The scientists say that doctors should talk to men about their health before they become dads. They should ask about diet, exercise, smoking, and other things that can be changed.

Final Thoughts

Making a healthy baby takes two healthy parents. Men's health before pregnancy matters a lot. By eating right, staying active, and avoiding bad habits, dads can help give their future kids the best start in life.

So guys, if you're thinking about becoming a dad someday, start taking care of yourself now. Your future kids will thank you!

References

1. More Equitable Preconception Health: Paternal Life Course Opportunities for Better Pregnancy, Child, and Family Outcomes. Huang JY, Low FM, Kee MZL, et al. Lancet (London, England). 2026;:S0140-6736(26)00148-0. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00148-0.

2. Association of Preconception Paternal Health on Perinatal Outcomes: Analysis of U.S. Claims Data. Kasman AM, Zhang CA, Li S, et al. Fertility and Sterility. 2020;113(5):947-954. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.12.026.

3. Uneven Impacts: How Male Diet Modulates the Sperm Epigenome and Impacts Embryo Development and Pregnancy Health†. de la Iglesia A, Prip-Buus C, Maillard GL, Vaiman D, Cocquet J. Biology of Reproduction. 2025;:ioaf264. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioaf264.

4. Diet and Recreational Drug Use in Relation to Male Reproductive Health. LaPointe S, Mehta A, Gaskins AJ. Fertility and Sterility. 2023;120(6):1089-1097. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.10.013.

5. Paternal Preconception Modifiable Risk Factors for Adverse Pregnancy and Offspring Outcomes: A Review of Contemporary Evidence From Observational Studies. Carter T, Schoenaker D, Adams J, Steel A. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):509. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-15335-1.

6. The Effect of Paternal Factors on Perinatal and Paediatric Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Oldereid NB, Wennerholm UB, Pinborg A, et al. Human Reproduction Update. 2018;24(3):320-389. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmy005.

7. How Do Lifestyle and Environmental Factors Influence the Sperm Epigenome? Effects on Sperm Fertilising Ability, Embryo Development, and Offspring Health. Akhatova A, Jones C, Coward K, Yeste M. Clinical Epigenetics. 2025;17(1):7. doi:10.1186/s13148-025-01815-1.

8. Results of Lifestyle Modification Promotion and Reproductive/General Health Check for Male Partners of Couples Seeking Conception. Komiya A, Kato M, Shibata H, et al. Heliyon. 2023;9(4):e15203. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15203.

9. Association Between Preconception Paternal Health and Pregnancy Loss in the USA: An Analysis of US Claims Data. Kasman AM, Zhang CA, Li S, et al. Human Reproduction (Oxford, England). 2021;36(3):785-793. doi:10.1093/humrep/deaa332.

10. Preconception Care: A Comparative Review of Major Guidelines. Giouleka S, Papagera V, Siargkas A, et al. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 2025;80(8):491-505. doi:10.1097/OGX.0000000000001425.