Conducted by researchers at the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Canada, experts ascertained that the number of men suffering from baby blues is significantly higher than previously estimated.
While pregnant women and new mothers have garnered a lot of attention when it comes to the issue, expectant fathers appear to have been sidelined - an issue which researchers are actively attempting to remedy.
According to the study of 622 Canadian men, more than 13% of expectant fathers have experienced elevated symptoms of depression while awaiting the arrival of their child.
Online questionnaires, which were conducted as part of the research, established that disrupted sleep patterns act as an indicator of more sinister issues.
Speaking to CBS News, senior study author, Dr. Deborah Da Costa, highlighted the varying emotions associated with becoming parent, saying: "While the transition to parenthood is exciting and joyful, it can also be stressful."
Elaborating on the point, Dr. Da Costa, who works as a researcher in the division of clinical epidemiology at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, asserted that both parents require attention during this time, explaining: "There's a lot of focus on moms during pregnancy and after the baby comes, but our study shows dads can go through an emotional period as well and that they have concerns and worries, too."
Often lacking the emotional support network many women come to reply on, expectant fathers find themselves isolated as they come to terms with their changing family dynamic - something which Dr. Da Costa insists requires further attention.
"We need to normalise this for men, too, and be aware that there can be difficulties and adjustments for them, as well," she asserted.
At pains to highlight the difference between depression and baby blues, Dr. Philip Muskin, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Centre, insists it is vital to clarify the basis of the Canadian study.
"We don't want to confuse the two. The baby blues are different from depression. We don't want to pathologise depressive symptom," he warns, referring to Dr. Da Costa's findings.
Dr. Muskins is, however, acutely aware of the struggles faced by numerous expectant fathers and, like Dr. Da Costa, insists men's emotional wellbeing should be monitored during pregnancy - something which did much to buoy the spirits of fathers-to-be who were asked to participate in the study.
"We recruited men for this study from prenatal classes and it was wonderful to see the their reactions. They said, 'What? You want to speak to us?' They were very open to it," explained Dr. Da Costa.
The recent study has highlighted the importance of monitoring both parent's adjustment and progress during the nine-month journey, with Dr. Da Costa asserting:"Teaching fathers and screening for this early on can be beneficial in terms of decreasing the risk or the continuation of depression postpartum."
"This is such an important period in couples lives and there are long term effects on the marriage and raising the child's development," she finished.
