Neena Gupta is one of the strongest examples of a single mother who successfully raised her daughter — fashion designer Masaba Gupta — amidst societal hate and judgment. In her autobiography, Sach Kahun Toh, she recalled being “giddy with joy” after discovering her pregnancy. However, she thought it essential to consult the father of her unborn child, Vivian Richards, an internationally renowned cricketer.
“I understood that I wasn’t the only person who had a say in the situation. The baby’s father, Vivian, had an equal right. So, I called him one day and spoke to him for a long time,” she wrote in her book. “‘I’m pregnant, ‘ I told him. ‘Would you have a problem if I were to have your baby?’ Vivian sounded happy and said I should go ahead,” the Badhaai Do actor added.
For her, this assurance was necessary. “As much as I wanted this child, I also did not want to go ahead if the father wasn’t on board. So, it came as a relief when Vivian supported my decision,” she continued.
Rima Bhandekar, Psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, told that the tone for a parenting journey is set by the since the bond between parents and child starts even before childbirth.
“When the partner shows emotional participation in small things such as showing up for doctor’s appointments, talking or playing music for the baby, or simply filling a pregnancy journal together, it helps build deeper connections and become cherished memories for both parents,” she explained.
The anxiety experienced by a mother during can increase cortisol levels, and if those levels are too high, they may interfere with fetal brain development. According to her, these small loving gestures by the partner help calm the mother’s nerves, provide comfort, and increase feelings of togetherness.
Bhandekar said that the partner does not need to be ready with all the solutions to pregnancy issues, or read every baby book ever written to provide support — but show their emotional presence by asking her how she’s really feeling, normalizing her moods, making time for laughter, and saying comforting words.
By being involved in a child’s life from day one, the partner steps into the role as a parent and becomes more confident when the baby shows up,” she said. Pregnancy is the start of a new life, and the more love and support a partner shows to the mother, the safer, more loved, and emotionally secure she will feel.
