Expecting a baby is a wonderful thing, but as a father, you may need to remember some things.
The Basics
"The thing about men and pregnancy is that... the expectant mother does all the work. She also gets all the attention - it's a common source of tension for couples during pregnancy," says Leonard Boulanger, a fatherhood specialist for the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, in a statement to WebMD.
Getting involved "at every level," Boulanger says, keeps men from feeling left out.
Changes
A routine lifestyle changes when the wife gets pregnant.
"Expect that things she used to do are no longer easy for her to do," Paul Woods, MD, a family doctor in Minn., tells WebMD.
You'll have to prepare for your baby's needs. The cash you usually spend for yourself goes to his/hers.
Bed time as a couple? It changes.
The bed you sleep on may seem less comfortable, and the mom-to-be might make frequent trips to the bathroom at night, according to WebMD. "You can help by accommodating her graciously. Some pregnant women prefer to sleep in a reclining chair."
Sex during pregnancy is another thing. An article from fitpregnancy.com says that "Pregnant sex is a wonderful thing." It adds, "...on the subject of sex, it's called 'making love.'"
Secondhand smoke is also dangerous for the baby.
Prenatal Visits
Prenatal check ups are important, and having the dad accompany mom during visits will help their bond, and dad will also know what's going on.
"As a physician, I want the dad there for the first appointment to talk about what will happen, and to determine parents' preferences," Woods says.
Doctors should give parents-to-be things to remember for the pregnancy. Special medical issues will also be addressed.
Usually there are ultrasound exams. An ultrasound exam may be done if the doctor suspects any abnormality. It also reveals the baby's sex.
Delivery
Planning the birth would help. Ask, "Where will she give birth? Who will attend to her? What to bring to the hospital?"
It would be best to give birth in hospitals.
"When do we actually go to the hospital?" you ask. Best be there within 48 hours of the expected delivery, but there's no sure way to predict it.
When labor comes, it's no joke. It gets increasingly painful, but it would really help her if you put your attention on her. "Getting ice chips, cold cloths, foot rubs, back rubs - guys, it's only for a while," says Woods. "She is experiencing pain like we can't imagine."
When your baby comes, you'll realize that all the trouble that you went through is worth it.
