As we celebrate the men who help shape our children’s lives, we must also confront a crisis hiding in plain sight: the alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality in Black communities – and the powerful role fathers can play in changing those outcomes.
In 2017, I thought I knew what fatherhood would look like. My partner and I were expecting twin boys. Like many expectant fathers, I assumed everything would go according to plan. We’d go to the hospital, have our babies, and bring them home in a few days.
But both of our sons were delivered stillborn. My life and understanding of what it means to be a father changed forever.
That devastating loss opened my eyes to a harsh reality: Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, and Black infants die at nearly twice the rate of white infants. These aren’t just statistics — they’re families torn apart, dreams shattered and communities left to grieve preventable losses.
When my partner became pregnant again, this time with our daughter, I knew I had to do more than be present; I had to be prepared. I turned to a friend who is a doula and asked her to teach me everything: What should I look for? What are the warning signs? How can I advocate for my partner and our child?
That education saved our family. During delivery, I wasn’t just a nervous father pacing the hallway — I was an informed advocate. I could speak up when something felt off, I understood the medical language, and I supported my partner through every stage of labor and beyond.
Research confirms what I experienced firsthand. When fathers are absent during pregnancy, Black women face a seven-fold increased risk of infant mortality. With involved fathers, that risk drops dramatically. In fact, studies suggest 65-75% of excess mortality could be prevented with increased paternal involvement.
This isn’t about blame or burdening fathers already doing their best. It’s about recognizing an untapped resource in the fight to save lives: educated, engaged fathers who can serve as powerful advocates and emotional anchors for their families.
That’s why we created the Dads to Doulas program at Dear Fathers. It’s a free, six-week course that provides hands-on doula training to Black men. Since launching in July 2024, more than 180 men have completed the program. Participants gained critical knowledge about pregnancy, labor, postpartum care, and mental health — from hormonal changes to recognizing signs of anxiety or depression in their partners and themselves.
The response has been overwhelming. As we looked to expand Dads to Doulas, Indiana emerged as a natural next step. It’s a state grappling with the same devastating disparities, where the Black infant mortality rate is more than double that of white infants: 14.1 deaths per 1,000 compared to 5.6.
With the support of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we’re launching in-person training cohorts in Lake and Marion counties this summer, with a virtual cohort reaching statewide soon after. Sharing our vision of healthier families and communities, Anthem is championing our efforts to engage more fathers in Indiana. Their partnership allows us to meet fathers where they are, build trust, and offer a path toward healing and prevention that many have never been shown.
When we educate fathers about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care, we don’t just reduce the risk of individual tragedies — we create ripple effects that can strengthen entire communities. Informed fathers become advocates who can detect warning signs, support their partners through complex medical decisions, and ensure their families are heard in healthcare settings.
I challenge other dads to expand the definition of fatherhood. Don’t just be present; be prepared. Learn what to expect. Know the signs of trouble. Speak up when it matters most. Be the advocate your family needs.
Let’s commit to a new vision of fatherhood, one where being a dad means being an educator, an advocate, and a protector of our families’ health and future.
Brad Edwards is the Director of Program Strategy at Dear Fathers and creator of the Dads to Doulas program. After experiencing the stillbirth of twin sons in 2017, he has dedicated his life to educating fathers and combating maternal and infant mortality. Learn more at dearfathers.com.
